Corporate Censorship

We often talk about censorship of a particular kind, namely state censorship. But I want to talk to you boys and girls and its about another kind of censorship. That being corporate censorship.

This abstract titled 'Prospects for free musical expression in the United States' goes into fascinating detail about censorship and music in America.

 I didn't realize the Dead Kennedys broke up because of an expensive court case they eventually won.

The author concludes:

...Despite repeated and ongoing instances of opposition to unfettered musical expression in the United States, I do not believe there is a coordinated nationwide campaign being waged against it. Anti-music alliances ebb and flow, but do not seem consistently organized. However, I do see steady, even increasing pressure by some with governmental power to restrict or regulate aspects of popular music, which are offensive to them. Prior to USA Patriot, the courts provided an effective, if slow and frightening counterbalance to the excesses of legislative and prosecutorial zeal...

And

...More troubling at this time, is the movement of content-based regulation of popular music into the private realm. Corporations in the entertainment industry, especially music oriented companies, have been put on notice that there could be consequences from government if their releases are offensive to some members of Congress...