This is really important and I think, we all probably have this in our
mailboxes already! Do the music you love a favour, when our music is on the
line, what would you do?
JJB/opSN
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Free speech - free music is on the line.
We need your help in spreading word. This is a serious issue & affects
music fans regardless of what music they like. Free speech is on the line.
FCC BANS SONG FROM DJ VADIM AND SARAH JONES
NO REVOLUTION FOR FIRST AMMENDMENT RIGHTS
The FCC proposed a $7,000 fine against non-commercial KBOO-FM in Portland,
OR for broadcasting the song "Your Revolution," a collaboration between
Ninja Tune recording artist DJ Vadim and spoken word artist Sarah Jones.
The song comes from the DJ Vadim album USSR: Life >From The Other Side
released in 1999.
The commission claims that is contains "unmistakable patently offensive
sexual references." KBOO-FM counters that its mission is to provide a forum
for "unpopular, controversial neglected perspective," and that "Your
Revolution" is "a feminist attack on attempts to equate political revolution
with promiscuous sex" - the opening lyric is, "Your revolution will not
happen between these thighs" - and thus is not indecent. The FCC rejected
that argument and has given KBOO-FM 30 days to respond.
The move has, of course, forced other non commercial and otherwise
progressive radio broadcasters to ban their programmers from playing the
song. Thus, permanently silencing one of the most important feminist hip-hop
songs of the last decade from ever reaching FM listeners.
This is a heavy-handed blow from the FCC against the First Ammendment rights
of the citizens of the United States, positive hip-hop artists, and anyone
striving for increased equality for women in this country or worldwide.
Listeners of the song will note that Jones in no way endorses or promotes
any "patently offensive sexual references." Quite the opposite. Hear the
song for yourself http://www.airbubble.com/your_revolution.html and read
the FCC filing and lyrics at
http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2001/db0517/da011212.txt
We ask that you contact FCC Chairman Micheal Powell at mpowell@fcc.gov or
1-888-225-5322 to voice your concern and support independent music and free
speech.
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Sat Jun 16 2001 - 13:46:14 CEST