Freemuse report on censorship in post 9/11 USA

Soon after the 9/11 attacks, the discussion concerning the long-term impact on free expression and personal privacy became heated and intense.

Musicians have participated (directly and indirectly) in the public discourse, both through word and song. As a result of their outspoken actions, many musicians have experienced strong resistance, sometimes resulting in censorship.

The new Freemuse report Singing in the Echo Chamber written by Eric Nuzum, author of Parental Advisory, documents this chapter of modern American history.

Report supplement:
‘Is censorship in the “Axis of Good” good?’

Freemuse has asked two renowned scholars cum musicians, Professor Reebee Garofalo and Associate Professor Mark LeVine, some of the complex questions that Eric Nuzum’s report raises.
If censorship in the “Axis of Evil” is evil, does censorship in the “Axis of Good” then spring out of good intentions?

Read the report supplement as pdf

Commentary:
US Music executive: Artists afraid to speak out

One of Nashville’s leading music executives, Bob Titley, discusses corporate censorship and self censorship in the US.

Watch video interview

Media coverage

Deutschland Radio (in German language) – 20 February 2006 :
Podcast mp3 file

Blog by Michael Preidel (in German language) – 20 Februar 2006:
‘Singing in the Echo Chamber’

Errata
22 February 2006

Since publication, the following errors have been identified in the printed version of the report. We regret their inclusion and have corrected them in the pdf version of the report (which can be downloaded from the link above). We will also correct them in any future editions of Singing in the Echo Chamber.

• On page 6, Eric Nuzum’s book ‘Parental Advisory’ was published in 2001, not 2004.
• On page 31, the song “John Walker Blues” was released in 2002, not 2004.

  
  

  On page 31, articles in the Wall Street Journal and New York Post began the controversy over the song “John Walker Blues,” the articles themselves did not call for the song’s censorship.