MUSIC VIDEO REGULATIONS

Abbey Cotterill

WHO ARE THE PEOPLE WHO REGULATE MUSIC VIDEOS?

YouTube- YouTube decide whether an artists video is suitable for public viewing on their website. Artists are unable to upload their video to their official channel without the approval of YouTube. However, this does not prevent the video from being uploaded on other channels meaning people will still be able to view it.

CONTINUED… OFCOM- OFCOM regulates what is allowed to be shown on our TV screens ranging from baby channels to dating shows. It specifically operates under the 2003 Communications Act. Any complaints that are to be made can be made directly to OFCOM on their website.

MTV- MTV have the power to choose if they want a music video to be broadcast on their channels. MTV are hesitant to show videos which may be deemed unsuitable as they can receive complaints via the OFCOM service so they try to prevent this as much as possible.

WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF REGULATIONS?

- There is no set in stone answer as to what will happen for the future of regulating music videos.

- In some places, the regulations are becoming tighter as we stars such as Miley Cyrus and Rihanna continuously using nudity and sexual imagery in their music videos.

- Many people believe that there will be separate regulation systems for online and on TV as it is easier to enforce restrictions on TV’s.

- However, this issue causes much diversity as children have access to the internet so it cannot prevent them from viewing the videos unless the parents have enforced controls onto that specific computer.

BANNED VIDEOS…

Rihanna- S&M

S&M was banned by MTV and the video’s airtime is possibly the heaviest restricted ever.

The reason for it being banned was due to the heavily sexualised content and suggestive scenes as well as inappropriate lyrics.

BANNED VIDEOS…

Robin Thicke- Blurred Lines

Although Blurred Lines was indeed a worldwide phenomenon, the 2013 video was banned for being too ‘explicit’ and a censored version was later released.

The original version featured the models wearing nothing but a skin coloured thong and helium balloons spelling out ‘Robin Thicke has a big d**k’.

BANNED VIDEOS…

Madonna- What it feels like for a girl

Produced by Guy Ritchie in 2001, the video was banned as MTV did not approve of the inclusion of a crime spree that ends with suicide as the video would have been shown to all ages.

Several of Madonna’s other music videos such as ‘Erotica’ and ‘Girl Gone Wild’ have also been banned or flagged up for heavy use of sexualised content.