"Freedom loving musicians"(sic)

[Marc]

Hallo

I am a german emmigrant now livink in the United States. I kome from East Germany und lived when the soviet wall was still ereckt und ze STASI spied on every citizen and inkarcerated them when zey spoke against politicians und questioned politika decisions.

Mein question is: as an artist, can I zing against ze war of ze USA und ze government in mein songs or there is a form of repression like there was in East Germany?  

Tanke

[Rudi]

My understanding is that you can sing about what you want, just dont lose the accent.

[Marc]

http://www.freemuse.org/sw263.asp

03 May 2004

POST SEPTEMBER 11

FORTHCOMING FREEMUSE REPORT ON FREEDOM OF MUSICAL EXPRESSION AFTER SEPTEMBER 11  

Within hours of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, media conglomerates like Clear Channel sent an advisory to their many stations, warning them of songs that would be inappropriate to broadcast under the circumstances. When one of The Dixie Chicks said in a concert that she didn't support her fellow Texan George Bush, many radio stations and conservative organizations organized a boycott of their music. These and so many other instances are representative of a new chill in the United States on freedom of musical expression, but the efforts don't stop there.  

Artists from diverse cultures are being barred entry to the United States on purely political -- and not security -- grounds.  While some are outrightly prohibited performance visas, others are presented with such obstacles so as to either discourage or delay artists enough so that they desist.  

America, after September 11, is experiencing a chill in free speech and performance that is hitting musicians as much, if not more, than anyone.  

This forthcoming Freemuse report (planned release November 2004) will examine the instances and explanations for a growing censorship and speak with many of the individuals either responsible for carrying out these policies or who are harmed by them. It will examine the effects, focusing on the situation in the United States post September 11, but also with a global outlook: How has the event affected the situation for freedom of musical expression around the world?