worksheet

11

Censorship debate
This worksheet is not for photocopying. It offers guidance to the teacher on how to set up this activity.

Debate
Many music videos present degrading images of men and women, and have a negative influence on young people, therefore greater censorship is essential. Discuss.

Plan a debate on the role of censorship in relation to music videos. Cut up the role play cards on page 2, for use with the role play activity. Allocate the ten roles outlined below. The rest of the class can act as an audience. You will also need a chairperson, which should probably be you.

Process

The chairperson introduces each character in turn. Each character makes a brief two- to three-minute presentation on their response to the statement for debate. The chairperson opens the debate for discussion. The chairperson briefly sums up and closes the discussion. If you have a sufficiently large audience, you might like to have them cast votes agreeing or disagreeing with the statement. Finally, hold a plenary on character performances and the key points arising from the debate.

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bfi Education 2005

Music Video

worksheet

11

Censorship debate

Role play cards

Director of Ofcom, responsible for material broadcast on music television: You have to deal with public complaints and adverse publicity in newspapers and are responsible to the government so you must show some caution about material appearing. Music video director: You like to push the boundaries in your videos and believe music video is an art form for artists like yourself to express your worldview.

VJ for a music channel: You have to present videos on your programmes as your job.

Chairperson of the NVALA: The NVALA campaigns against sex and violence on TV and believes that music video can be a bad influence on young people in particular.

Executive with record company: You are concerned about the impact of internet downloads on your profit margins and are torn between the desire for publicity to help sales and the risk of bad publicity affecting sales negatively.

Parent of pre-teenage children: You are a bit shocked by some of the material appearing on some channels during the daytime.

Fan of rap or metal videos which have often come under attack: You are determined to defend them.

Childline national representative: You are concerned that images of teenage sexuality in music videos, such as tATus and Britney Spears, may be encouraging child sexual abuse by paedophile adults.

Rap music artist: You are defending yourself against being accused of promoting misogyny in music videos and lyrics.

Teacher of Media Studies: You are very concerned about the ways in which race and gender stereotypes are used in music videos.

Page 2 of 2

bfi Education 2005

Music Video