How is the music industry regulated?

Regulate the media industry is done to ensure material is suitable for the audience it is being distributed too, and to make sure it doesn't cause anyone unnecessary offence.

 

Ofcom (Independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries.) is the main company in the UK that is in charge of regulating the music industry. They have a set of code guidance notes, and if someone has breached these codes Ofcom have the power to fine, ban or alter when the material is allowed to be shown. A link to the guidance codes.

 

A need for regulation was bought in, due to a belief in the hypodermic needle theory. This explains that when people use the media they simply accept everything they view, that we are just injected with certain views an opinions and we don't think about whether they are correct. Therefore we need to regulate the music industry so people don't begin to accept detrimental behaviour (such as drug abuse) as being normal and acceptable. An example of this has been regulated is shown in this news report; Ofcom fine Scuzz £10,000.

 

Another reason regulation is needed is because of the Cultivation theory, which explains that the more time people spent "living" in the television world, the more likely they are to believe that the society portrayed on television is a representation of real like. Cultivation leaves people with a misperception of what is true in our world. An example of where this has been regulated in shown in this news report; Music videos face crackdown over sexualised content.

In my opinion I think that the music industry should be officially regulated. This is because we can not always avoid listening to certain songs or watching certain videos as distribution has increased. Songs are now played in shops, on the radio, adverts, television programmes and films. Without regulation they could be playing inappropriate songs during the day in shopping centres where children can openly hear them and parents have no power to stop them. Regulation is necessary to protect children from exposure to hateful and over sexualised content, and dramatized drug use.

The representation of sexuality in music videos

Ever since Elvis Presley shocked the world with his pelvis thrusting in 1956, the portrayal of sexuality has increasingly become much more acceptable in the media industry. It has now become a key aspect of music with many artists become much more provocative and open about their sexuality, with some songs being entirely based on sex. To a certain extent that has been useful as it can help give fans a sexual identity, with many music industries rebelling against conventional modes; for example Lady Gaga, Boy George and Madonna. However, there has also been debate over whether this is now having a detrimental effect on people’s perception of sex.

Music gives people the opportunity to explore different sexualities away from having a sexual partner; this is done through both the rhythmic and verbal context.  Popular music is mainly about giving and receiving love and affection, which has been a similar case for many years. However it has been a more recent development that actual physical sex has been a key concept in many songs. Examples of such songs are; ‘Bump ‘n Grind’ by R Kelly, ‘Birthday sex’ by Jeremih and ‘I want your sex’ by George Michael. Each of these songs were released after 1980.

Following John Friske's (1987) view that genres reflect popular opinions at that time (zeitgeist), the music industry reflects a developing view on sexuality. One aspect of this is as acceptance of homosexuality has developed, portrayal in music has increased too. For example, Macklemore's 'Same Love' song came about at the same time as same sex marriage was being debated in politics throughout many parts of the world. There is also an open acceptance of same sex couples being portrayed in music videos even if the song is not directly linked to homosexuality. For example, Ed Sheeran's 'Give me love' music video.

One disadvantage of the portrayal of sexuality in the music industry is that in certain cases it has been perceived as being too provocative for the target audience. This has at times resulted in the music video from being banned. An example of this is Bjorke's video for the song 'cocoon' that showed the artist singing naked, which was initially banned from YouTube. Also, a recent example of a music video that has caused outrage is Robin Thicke's unrated video for the song,'blurred lines' which has been seen to undermine women, portray them as sexual objects and reinforce sexist ideas. This video is now age restricted in YouTube and banned from being shown on music channels at certain times of the day.

In conclusion, the development of sexualisation in the music industry can be used in a positive way; to help people understand different sexualities, and to help people develop their own sexual identity. However, it can be taken too far and can be seen to include over sexualised content. This then leads to a problem with how to regulate the music industry to make it appropriate for the audience. Music industry regulation.

The Kooks - She moves in her own way.

We have finally decided on a song choice that we wish to use for out music video. The song is 'She moves in her own way' by Indie pop band, The Kooks. The members originate from Brighton and formed the band in 2004. They released the song in 2006 and it is still one of their most famous singles.

This is the song;

New group members.

Since coming back from the summer holiday we have decided to team up with another group, to mix our skills so we can hopefully make an even better music video.
I am now working with; Dominic Collins, Harry Jackson, and Misha Armstrong.

The History of the Music Video.

As part of my research I have made a Prezi Presentation on the history of the Music Video, and how it had changed and developed into being one of the most important aspects of music culture.

Here is a link to the presentation;   The History of the Music Video.