1. Controversy in Music
Videos
and Censorship
What is a music video?
It is a form of artistic expression but this can be a
problem as it is subjective and therefore what
deems as acceptable to one may be seen as
offensive to another due to cultural relativism
(religion, culture, laws and ethics)
How to avoid upsetting people?
Record labels usually provide different
version of the videos. (Censored and
uncensored versions) However, in extreme
circumstances, the video may be banned
entirely due to it being seen as being to
offensive to be broadcast to the public.

2. 1980s
Body Language – Queen
This was the first video to be banned
by MTV in 1982
Why was it banned?
- Thinly veiled homoerotic undertones
(skin and sweat) This seemed
unsuitable for television at the time.
Physical – Olivia Newton-John
Her 1981 video showcased male
models working out in string bikinis.
This ended with a pair walking off to
the male locker rooms holding hands.
The video stopped airing the video
before the homosexual ending.

3. 1990s :
Madonna
Is the artist most associated with video censorship due to
the marketing of her sexuality
• Like A Virgin :
related to teen pregnancy
• Like a Prayer :
religious, sexual and racially
orientated imagery.
• Justify My Love :
was banned by MTV for its depiction
of sadomasochism, homosexuality,
cross dressing and group sex.

4. 1990s
• Ebeneezer
Goode – The
Shamen
this was banned by
the BBC for its
endorsement of
Ecstasy.
• The Gift - INXS
was banned by MTV due
to its use of Holocaust
an Gulf War footage
along with
famine, pollution, war
and terrorism.
• The Prodigy
Music videos for Smack my bitch up and Firestarter
caused controversy due to its drug references.
Smack my bitch up : banned by BBC due to its endorsement
of ecstasy.
Firestarter : banned by the BBC due to its references to
arson. It was also banned in some other countries due to its
nudity and drug use.

5. 2000s
• This Love –
Maroon 5
this video
showcases intimate
scene between
Adam Levine, the
lead singer and
then girlfriend.
This caused
controversy and
despite being shot
as strategic
angles, a censored
version was
released with
computer
generated imagery
of flowers in order
to cover up more.
• Rock DJ – Robbie Williams
graphic nature featuring stripping naked then
pealing off skin to reveal body flesh and
ripping out muscles and organs, revealing a
body skeleton. This was censored in the UK
and only broadcasted the unedited video after
10p.m.

6. 2000s
• Just Lose It – Eminem
this caused controvesy due to its parody of
Michael Jacksons child molestation trial and
surgery. This was banned from BET and
Jackson called the video “inappropriate and
disrespectful”
• All the things she said – t.A.T.u
this featured young girls embracing in kissing.
This highlighted the fact that it could attract
paedophiles due to being in uniform in the
music video. As a result, the duo
choreographed the kiss during live
performances, this was fought back by cutting
to clips of the audience during the kiss.

7. 2010s
• Telephone – Lady Gaga
there was a rumour around this
music video suggesting that MTV
put a ban on the video because the
content could not be shown within
their programming. This was
denied by MTV and frequently
showed the video on European
MTV programming. • S&M – Rihanna
this video features Rihanna
whipping a tied up man, taking
hostages and indulging in a
lesbian kiss. This was banned in
11 countries and deemed as
inappropriate for those under
18.

8. Conclusion – How the media is
perceived?
• Music videos are banned due to what seems acceptable at different times.
For example, when music videos were first released, having a strong
emphasis on sex would seem inappropriate. However, this is mainly the
focus of the majority of videos in our current time.
• This is also dependent on countries as around the world, different places
have different cultures, making different things ethically acceptable. Artists
and record labels must take this into consideration in order to ensure that
their music is not upsetting different members of society as this can
damage their reputation and therefore lose out on sales.
• Another common feature which influences music videos would be the actual
content or message it is trying to convey. This must be done in such a way
which protects those vulnerable such as children or those in countries
involved in wars. However, the media strongly influences and shapes our
opinions on certain topics. This therefore gives artists a strong base and
also the power to portray a certain image to influence the majority of
people.

9. Conclusion – How technological facilities
have enabled music videos to reach the
public
• In the past, the only way to view music
videos would be through the television on
channels such as MTV.
• This allows us to access music videos not
only on our computers but due to
technological convergence, we are able to
access media on our mobile
phones, iPads, etc.
• This however has changed and made it much
more accessible to the majority of people through
the internet. This is through sites such as
YouTube, Vevo as well as on websites of music
channels such as MuchMusic or MTV.co.uk
• YouTube and Vevo have enabled artists to store
their music videos on channels by creating
playlists not only for their music but those with
similar genres or interests.