NEWSLETTER 2 — 2008

Campaigns in support of three arrested musicians
Freemuse has joined the campaigns in support of three arrested musicians – two in Cameroon and one in China:
 
Cameroon
• Lapiro de Mbanga and Joe La Conscience were arrested in Cameroon on 9 April and 20 March 2008 respectively for criticising constitutional amendments allowing the country's president unlimited terms of office.
Read more: www.freemuse.org/sw26753.asp
 
China / Tibet
• Singer Jamyang Kyi is reported to have been held without charges by Chinese authorities since 1 April 2008. The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN fears that Jamyang Kyi may be held for her activism regarding Tibet.
Read more: www.freemuse.org/sw26880.asp
 
You can also support these artists by sending letters of protest to the embassies of the two governments:
 
Campaign: Urge for immediate release of Cameroonian musicians
            www.freemuse.org/sw26825.asp
 
Campaign: Urge for immediate release of Tibetan singer
            www.freemuse.org/sw26892.asp
 

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Burma/Myanmar: Musicians are being arrested
Artists in Burma have had a hard time since the September 2007 demonstrations. In November 2007 the lead guitarist in Shwe Thansin group, one of Burma’s top bands of the 1990s, was imprisoned, and in February and April respectively, two members of the controversial Burmese hip-hop group Acid have been arrested.
Read more: www.freemuse.org/sw27257.asp
 
Zimbabwe: Singing for the opposition is a crime
Five days imprisonment and a possible custodial sentence has not deterred two Zimbabwean protest singers from continuing to sell their new album, but they have had to go into hiding.
Read more: www.freemuse.org/sw26597.asp
 
Visa initiative creates big interest
Freemuse has received several requests from international media, politicians and artists’ organisations regarding the visa initiative launched last year at WOMEX. A "White Paper" will be published before summer. It will include several practical proposals that could ensure that overseas representations follow harmonised procedures.
Read more: www.freemuse.org/sw23173.asp
 
Freemuse met International Music Council
At a meeting in Brno in the Czech Republic, Freemuse held talks with the Advocacy Working Group and Board of the International Music Council (IMC) regarding common ground for projects that would suit both organisations.
Read more: www.freemuse.org/sw27608.asp
 
Become a member of Freemuse
By becoming a member of Freemuse, you support our work, and what is even more important, you become part of our network - signalling that we are a number of people who are seriously concerned about music censorship. There are two different kinds of membership: Paying Member and Supporting Member.
Read more: www.freemuse.org/sw8107.asp
 

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Read more on freemuse.org

Freemuse.org features news stories and background documents on music censorship every week.
 
Recent news stories
• Bahrain: Parliament's attempt to ban singer failed
• St. Vincent: Dancehall star banned for his 'gangsta lyrics'
• Somalia: Dilemmas facing Somali music and musicians

 
Recent interviews and feature stories
 
• 'This music was from the devil'
Norwegian and Sámi singer Mari Boine speaks about her personal experiences with the religious ban of joik singing
 
• The destruction of a minority's music culture
As a comment to Freemuse's interview with Sámi singer Marie Boine, ethnomusicologist Ilpo Saastamoinen shares his insight and personal experiences with the oppression of Sámi music culture.
 
• 'If you move the heart, the
head will follow'
American singer and songwriter Kris Kristofferson speaks about his personal experiences of music censorship.
 
• Male radio-DJ to female singer:
'Give sex or be blacklisted'
Why do we see and hear little of women musicians in Zanzibar? Read Lingson Adam's report from the Tanzanian island where radio-DJs are known to have 'blacklisted' female musicians who refused them sexual favours.
 
• Political pressure and corruption silence musicians
According to Tanzanian musician Muumin Mwinjuma there are a significant number of causes for oppression and censorship of music in Tanzania – ranging from political pressure and corruption in media houses to economically unfair rewards.
 
• Why 'Article 301' is used against musicians
Political scientist Beate Slydal gives insight into the issues concerning why the infamous Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code about 'insulting the Turkish nation' is so often used against artists in Turkey.

Kind regards,

Freemuse - The World Forum on Music and Censorship 
Nytorv 17, 3rd floor
1450 Copenhagen K    
Denmark
Tel  +45 33 32 10 27
www.freemuse.org

Freemuse (FREEdom of MUSical Expression) is an international human rights organisation advocating freedom of expression for musicians and composers worldwide.