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UNITED KINGDOM UK: Meeting in London about thought crime and lyrical terrorists On 26 February 2008 the Manifesto Club in London organises a meeting about free speech and 'thought crime'. Among the speakers are rap artist Aki Nawaz 25 February 2008 UK: Brighton first city to outlaw 'hate music' The British seaside town Brighton has become the first place in the UK to ban music that "incites hatred towards minorites" 06 December 2007 UK: Reggae star banned from entering Great Britain Jah Cure recently served eight years in prison for rape and robbery, and is now banned from entering the UK. Activists claim that his concerts would be an insult to rape victims. 18 October 2007 UK: Tory leader calls for ban on violent lyrics On 4 July 2007, David Cameron renewed his call for the music industry to "show leadership" by banning violent lyrics from songs, reported The Guardian. 04 July 2007 UK: Avoid 'harmful forms of music' in state schools, says Muslim council Muslim Council of Britain has published recommendations on how music lessons should be taught to Muslims in state schools in the United Kingdom 22 February 2007 UK: Who censors and regulates music in the UK? Discussion on BBC Radio One Message Boards about music censorship in the United Kingdom: "Is it a separate ordeal, or managed by one main body?" 22 February 2007 UK: City council proposes ban on 'murder music' Brighton and Hove City Council may become the first in United Kingdom to place a ban on music which encourages violence towards minority groups, reports The Argus 08 February 2007 UK/USA: David Byrne about self-censorship in 1981 David Byrne and Brian Eno removed a song which features samples of Qur'anic recital from re-releases of their 1981-album 'My Life in the Bush of Ghosts' 12 October 2006 Musicians hit by the “9/11-effect” Tighter restrictions on air travel means that musical instruments are no longer allowed on the plane as carry-on baggage. This has lead to cancellations of concerts and tours 11 September 2006 UK: Controversy over political songs Aki Nawaz, a British rap artist and frontman of Fun-Da-Mental, is accused of glorifying terrorism. The lyrics on his new album has provoked calls for him to be arrested under anti-terrorism laws 22 August 2006 UK: "Cultural censorship" threatens artistic endeavours Stringent immigration regulations have led to several foreign artists being denied entry into the UK, making it increasingly difficult to organise musical events featuring foreign artists 16 August 2006 UK: Previously forbidden opera performed in Glasgow On 21 May 2006, Cecilia Bartoli performs in Glasgow, UK, with a programme that bears the same title as her latest album: ‘Opera Proibito’ - "forbidden opera". 15 May 2006 UK: Detained for humming ‘London Calling’ Is the The Clash's classic punk song ‘London Calling’ a dangerous song? In England in April 2006, a taxi passenger was detained for simply singing along to it 26 April 2006 Officials detain musicians as possible terrorists Morrissey was questioned by the FBI and British intelligence after speaking out against Bush and Blair 03 March 2006 UK: Tv channel bans music video because of threats Deeyah’s music video has been taken off air and banned by a British Asian tv channel as they received threats to their staff for airing it 27 February 2006 USA/UK: Media giant claimed to threaten British music “Texan media firm Clear Channel Communications is increasingly casting its shadow over the music scene in Britain,” writes Granville Williams 23 February 2006 Norway/United Kingdom: Muslim pop singer faces threats During 10 years, threats from angry conservative Muslims silenced the Norwegian and Muslim pop singer Deeyah. Now she breaks her silence. 26 September 2005 UK: Christians want opera banned “Religious censorship is in danger of strangling the arts”, says Richard Thomas - the composer of "Jerry Springer - The Opera". 16 August 2005 United Kingdom: Music festival focuses on human rights 'Mind Out For Music' is a UK music festival for people in the world suffering human rights abuses. It is inspired by and commemorates the murdered Chilean musician Victor Jara 22 July 2005 Newspapers divided on BBC screening of Springer opera Religion, sex and music is once again in the focus of controversy when BBC - despite protests from religious groups – decided to broadcast “Jerry Springer – the Opera”. Seen as blasphemous and obscene by critics, the opera is hailed as satirical by supporters. 11 January 2005 UK: Banned group returns to stage They were censored on Top of the Pops and infuriated the National Front in the late 70’s. Now the Gang of Four returns to the stage for a few gigs. Vocalist Jon King claims Gang of Four was banned more than the Sex Pistols 11 January 2005 Pride and prejudice: 'anti-gay' stars refuse to apologise Their gigs have been cancelled all over the world and their names withdrawn from awards. But Jamaica's dancehall stars refuse to apologise for - or even stop singing - songs that encourage the murder of gay people. Extensive article from The Guardian 10 December 2004 The Hot Sound of Hate Hundreds of bands in America and Europe produce Hate Music. In September Panzerfaust Records launched Project Schoolyard, a plan to snag kids 13 to 19 by distributing 100,000 free CDs of such bands as Day of the Sword, H8 Machine and Final War. 29 November 2004 City demands 'anti-gay' music ban Brighton will be the first UK city to demand that retailers ban albums with "anti-gay" lyrics. The City Council voted unanimously to write to the managing directors of Virgin Megastore, HMV and MVC condemning the music. The council do not have the power to force the stores not to sell the music 27 November 2004 No apology from 'anti-gay' singer Reggae star Sizzla has refused to apologise for his lyrics advocating violence against gay men, despite his UK tour being cancelled after protests. Sizzla is not allowed into the UK while the Home Secretary examines concerns raised by gay rights group OutRage! 25 November 2004 City seeks 'anti-gay' album ban The first UK city-wide boycott of albums with "anti-gay" lyrics is being considered in Brighton. Councillors want music retailers like HMV, Virgin Megastore and MVC to stop selling albums with homophobic lyrics in its Brighton branches 23 November 2004 Reggae stars 'help to spread HIV' International Development Minister Gareth Thomas fears that discrimination against homosexuals is deterring people from being tested for HIV. "A number of artistes are effectively contributing to the spread of HIV by producing reggae and rap songs actually encouraging discrimination" 22 November 2004 Censor and be damned? The link between violent music and violent behaviour "The UK Home Office has decided that Sizzla cannot come to the UK to play at this time." Scotland on Sunday about the current debate on homophobic lyrics 14 November 2004 'Anti-gay' lyrics inquiry starts The government is considering banning reggae star Sizzla from the UK. Meanwhile detectives are investigating claims that lyrics penned by eight leading reggae artists incite violence against homosexuals and are therefore illegal. 03 November 2004 Zimbabwean gospel diva Fungisai Zvakavapano denied UK visa A London-based Zimbabwe news website quoted a British Embassy official as citing fear that she might not return to Zimbabwe after her tour as a reason for refusing her a visa 02 November 2004 United Kingdom: Reggae concert banned over lyrics Jamaican singer Buju Banton has been banned from playing a concert in Manchester after protests over his allegedly homophobic lyrics. Greater Manchester Police cancelled the gig as previous performances "suggest a likelihood of public disorder" 23 September 2004 Reggae stars dropped because of 'homophobic' lyrics A collection of articles and background information on Hate Music and the current debate, where Elephant Man and Vybz Kartel, the two controversial reggae acts accused of inciting violence against homosexuals, have been dropped from the UK Mobo Awards show 08 September 2004 Beenie Man banned from MTV gig Reggae star Beenie Man - recently accused of "lyrics that are an incitement to homophobic murder and violence" - has been banned from performing at an MTV concert after gay activists planned a protest over the singer's past lyrics 04 September 2004 Independent record labels unhappy with Sony – BMG merger Small record labels fear more corporate control: "This merger is not about economic necessity in a changing market, it is about the desire to dominate and to control the outlets at media and retail level” 20 July 2004 Pop lyrics and their censors "Political correctness has imposed a new restraint on free speech." Interview with Freemuse co-chair Martin Cloonan on explicit lyrics and music censorship today 15 January 2004 Damon Albarn: Music is destroyed by censorship The record industry exerts a covert censorship, which makes it difficult for musicians to express themselves freely, was the message from Damon Albarn, Tony Allen and Ty at the Roskilde Festival 2003 01 July 2003 Music during wartime An extensive collection of links to articles related to how the war on Iraq affected freedom of musical expression - from American country albums being burned to the rise in protest music 10 June 2003 Asian Dub Foundation Video interview with Dr. Das of Asian Dub Foundation. Music and freedom of expression 14 May 2003 UK licensing bill defeated Controversial bill defeated in the House of Lords - but has yet to be discussed by MPs 17 March 2003 UK licensing bill Latest on the controversial Licensing Bill 05 March 2003 Dr Martin Cloonan: About Hate Music Politicians and police have accused rap music of encouraging gun violence, while musicians say deeper social problems are to blame 04 February 2003 Primal Scream change title and lyrics The UK band have made a dramatic u-turn and re-recorded ‘Bomb the Pentagon’ in the wake of September 11 29 May 2002 Ban the bomb Primal Scream’s new album looks set to be banned in the U.S. - for featuring their controversial song ‘Bomb the Pentagon’. The song, a bitter attack on US foreign policy, was premiered live just before the September 11 terror attacks 10 April 2002 The culture of conflict: September 11 effects The attacks in America may cause a change of heart in Hollywood, but what of the other arts? And what will be the effect on the creative scene in Britain? From dance to pop, Guardian critics assess the likely impact 29 September 2001 Cure, the Robert Smith, Perry Bamonte, Simon Gallup, Jason Cooper and Roger O´Donnel talk about music censorship and freedom of musical expression 12 July 2001 FUN^DA^MENTAL Interview with Aki Nawaz of Fundamental. Music and limits of expression 01 January 2001 UK: Britain at War Mr. Martin Cloonan's speech at the 1st Freemuse World Conference on Music and Censorship in 1998 01 January 2001 The Market and Media Censors - panel debate Panel discussion at the 1st Freemuse World Conference on Music and Censorship in Copenhagen in 1998 with Noam Ben-Zeev, Gerald Seligman, and Martin Cloonan. 01 January 2001 UK: Britain at War Extensive article on how music was "restricted" during the Falkland and Gulf war, with focus on UK legislation and corporate censorship. Presented by Martin Cloonan at the 1st World Conference on Music and Censorship, 1998 01 January 2001 White Noise Music - an international affair Hate Music. The story of modern racist music, covering cases from UK, Sweden and USA. Paper from the 1st World Conference on Music and Censorship, 1998 01 January 2001