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INCITEMENT TO VIOLENCE

About 'hate music'
Music intended to hurt and intimidate someone because of their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability is referred to as 'hate music'. Similar to 'hate speech'.

Freemuse's stand on 'hate music'
"While it is an anti-censorship organisation, Freemuse does recognise that there may be occasions on which free speech can legitimately be restricted. In general we judge on a case by case basis and are guided by international conventions such as the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Such documents themselves tend to recognise that there are occasions where speech may legitimately be restricted. For Freemuse to be anti-censorship is not to say “anything goes”."
Dr. Martin Cloonan, Chair of Freemuse executive committee

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Read about music which incites to violence on freemuse.org

Denmark: Activist campaigns against online sales of 'murder music'
Online music stores that sell so-called 'murder music' (reggae with lyrics inciting to violence against homosexuals) receive complaints from Danish gay rights activist
22 May 2008
Canada: Jamaica-boycott called off
The Canadian group that called for a boycott of Jamaica unless the country's government take action on homophobic violence has called it off after recieving an official letter
22 May 2008
Canada: Silencing Jamaican musicians fuels censorship debate
A Canadian coalition calls for a boycott of Jamaica by 12 May 2008 if the country's government doesn't take action on homophobic violence.
08 May 2008
South Africa: Rap song banned for incitement to violence
The song 'Get Out' by Zimbabwean-born hip-hop artist Zubz was banned on the South African Broadcasting Corporation, SABC.
07 May 2008
Mozambique: City authorities called rapper in for questioning
The rap artist Azagaia was summoned before prosecutors to explain the allegedly violent lyrics of a song he has written about the February 2008 riots in Maputo
06 May 2008
Jamaica: Dancehall artist banned for his 'gangsta lyrics'
In January 2008, a performance by Jamaican dancehall artist Mavado was banned by authorities in St. Vincent because his lyrics which are considered to be violent
28 April 2008
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
Rwanda: War crimes trial feared to legitimise new repression of musicians
A UN war crimes trial charges a musician with inciting genocide in Rwanda. An unintended consequence could be repression elsewhere of legitimate forms of musical expression
14 November 2006
Canada: 'Gangsta rap' seeked banned
A Toronto activist has filed a complaint against Canadian music store chain HMV selling 'gangsta rap' that glorifies the mistreatment of women
27 September 2006
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
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
D.R. Congo: Ban on rap music
In June 2004, the Committee of Censorship in the Democratic Republic of Congo censored all Congolese rap groups and foreign music. The reason given for banning rap is that it is 'obscene and violent, and causes the youth to behave badly'
21 June 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
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