Hypernova, Iranian band banned.

Hypernova is an Indie-Rock band based in Iran.

They illegally play in underground rock concerts. Every concert that they play in their country is dangerous. Numerous times they have come close to getting raided by the police.

The message they are trying to convey is that rock and roll has no boundaries.

Hypernova- "Fairy Tales"

There's a little girl that I am madly in love with


She's only seventeen and she's testing my patience


She knows what I want and I know what she needs


But we both know that we should not proceed
Father please forgive me for I've sinned again


And again and again and again and again



She's a victim of the times daddy's tryin' to find
A way to keep his baby in line


He's got it all figured out, hell keep her locked in the house


And wont let her see or hear no evil


Don't you know the more you push the more she runs?


Run away run away run away run away



These are the fairy tales that don't have happy endings


These are the fairy tales that never ever ever end


These are the fairy tales that don't have happy endings


These are the fairy tales that never ever ever end



I promised her the world and she ate every word


She left her life in a sudden urge


She came along for the ride, now she's lost she starts to cry


The big bad wolf is at her door


Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the fairest mother f*cker of all?


It ain't me it ain't me it ain't me it ain't me



There's no going back now, it's way too late


Her innocence is lost now nothing remains



These are the fairy tales that don't have happy endings


These are the fairy tales that never ever ever end


These are the fairy tales that don't have happy endings


These are the fairy tales that never ever ever end



These are the fairy tales that don't have happy endings


These are the fairy tales that never ever ever end


These are the fairy tales that don't have happy endings

These are the fairy tales that never ever ever end

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_sxsKBVJDE

Freedom of Expression Video

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION!

Video Created By:

Youth for Human Rights International

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5312655319111025063&ei=Mh0dS-fRGJTiqgL2sty8DA&q=freedom+of+expression&hl=en#

"It's not just the banning of music, but it is the competition between different kinds of music"

This article was put up on FREEMUSE, Freedom of Musical Expression, to understand why the Taliban has a campaign against music.

Here is an excerpt from the interview-

"You know, the Taliban like to invoke the hadith, that, you know, the person who listens to music will, on the day of judgment, have molten lead poured into their ears and you can read the rest of it for yourself. But there is one interesting point here to make, and that is how the Taliban actually define music, and it isn't actually correct to say that the Taliban have banned music. They have banned musical instruments and any kind of music-making that involves musical instruments, quite possibly with one exception, and that exception is the frame drum -- the duff -- because there are hadiths in which the Prophet Muhammad appreciates or allows the frame drum to be used in connection with celebrations of weddings and so on." - Radio Libery correspondent Abubakar Siddique

file:///Users/dbrown9740/Documents/Freemuse:Afghanistan%20and%20Pakistan:%20Understanding%20the%20Taliban's%20campaign%20against%20music.webarchive

Freedom of Speech Comics

Frederica Jansz

Here is a link to an interview conducted by Reporters Without Borders with a Sri Lankan journalist who received multiple death threats after becoming editor in chief of the Sunday Leader.

FREDERICA JANSZ

Protecting Our Free Speech

Not all hope is lost when it comes to our right to free speech all around the world. There are many organizations protecting our human right to the freedom of information and opinion and the journalists who are speaking out. Here is a list of some of the most prominent:

• American Civil Liberties Union: www.aclu.org
• Committee to Protect Journalists: www.cpj.org
• Society of Professional Journalists: www.spj.org
• Reporters Without Borders: www.rsf.org
• Human Rights Watch: www.hrw.org

These are just a few organizations that with support and involvement from students alone can continue to thrive and make a difference in the realm of human rights and free speech.

In the United States, while these organizations are also prominent, the first amendment protects our free speech and many court cases throughout history are used as precedent for issues of free speech. Based on the 2009-2010 Mass Media Law book the most famous trials used on the issues of free speech and censorship are:

• The Trial of John Peter Zenger: more info
• Tinker vs. Des Moines: more info
• Ladue vs. Gilleo: more info
• Schneck vs. U.S.: more info

There are many more cases, these are just the most prominent, and by educating the public of the United States we can further fight for our first amendment rights in the United States.

Top 10 Most Censored Countries

The Committee to Protect Journalists released a list of the 10 Most Censored Countries in 2006. Here is the list of the top 5 and why the countries made it on the list.

1. NORTH KOREA: This country has no independent journalists and all radio stations and television receivers are locked to government specified frequencies. They use the "Big Lie" tactic only positive news to be shown. According to the media of North Korea the country has never experienced poverty or famine and all citizens would sacrifice themselves for their beloved leader above all else.

2. BURMA: This country has total control of print and electronic media and citizens risk arrest for listening to networks such as the BBC in public. They stifled coverage of the tsunami that hit the country in December 2004. International journalists are more often than not denied visa entry unless the government wants to positively showcase something.

3. TURKMENISTAN: This country constantly displays their president's golden image on the bottom of the screen. In 2005 the state closed all libraries except for ones that held the president's books and the president owns all domestic media ethics. Those who are local and foreign correspondents have minimal freedom to report.

4. EQUATORIAL GUINEA: There is one private broadcaster in this country and it is owned by the president's son. Private newspapers do exist but based on financial and political pressure are not often published. There are no longer bookstores or newsstands and foreign correspondents are often denied visas or expelled without official explanation.

5. LIBYA: This country has no independent broadcast or print media, the government owns and controls everything. The internet holds some avenues for independent writers and journalists, however the risks are extremely high as those who have written critical things on the internet have been jailed and even found shot in the head.

The list of Top Ten rounds out with ERITREA, CUBA, UZBEKISTAN, SYRIA, and BELARUS.

The full article and more explanation of the lists can be found here.

Journalism Free Speech Issues

In October of 2009 a Saudi journalist was sentenced to 60 lashes and is under a two-year travel ban for her involvement in a television show in which a man bragged about his sex life. The man himself who spoke was sentenced to 1,000 lashes 5 years in prison because of his boast. These charges were placed under religious law and obviously the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was not taken into account when assessing these two people's right to freedom of speech.

Seeing this happening in Saudi Arabia distances many Americans from the problem, it could never happen to us, we have the right to free speech, we are a developed country. Then what of Canadian Reverend Stephen Boissoin who was sentenced with a lifetime speech ban preventing him from saying anything about homosexuality publicly or privately after he wrote a letter to a local newspaper objecting to the "homosexual agenda". This happened just over the northern border of our own country.

Roxana Saberi, the journalist who was sentenced to 8 years in prison on counts of spying for the United States, was American. Euna Lee and Laura Ling, the journalists who were arrested and held for 140 days in North Korea, were American. Not even under the values of freedom that the United States boasts can all Americans be free from the consequences of free speech in other countries. These problems are still relevant to the United States no matter how distant the issues may seem.

All these stories have links you can check out here:
http://www.internationalfreepresssociety.org/2009/10/saudi-journalist-sentenced-to-60-lashes/
http://www.internationalfreepresssociety.org/2009/12/mark-steyn-lifetime-speech-ban-lifted/
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/world/middleeast/19iran.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32294577

Expert Opinion- Freedom of Music- Laura Kessler

Laura Kessler is a well-renown Creative Career Coach, Music Director, Teacher, Writer and Performer based in Chicago. She works with students in combining performing arts with business and education.

Q: Why is freedom of music/speech an important part of society?

A: "Music is the universal language of emotions. While there certainly are academics that may relegate music to a technical left-brain study, in reality the masses understand music as a meaningful emotional form of communication. Music comforts, soothes, energizes and inspires us to action. It can be nationalistic, confrontational, sad, religious, narrative or celebratory. Music and artifacts are what historically survive from every culture, even more so than political manifestos of each time period. The fact that it is voluntarily experienced by the receiver, rather than coerced is what makes it so powerful. From Plato, to Scott Joplin, to Elvis, Michael Jackson and Hip Hop, the subtle power of music to lead masses of people to cross social boundaries should never be underestimated – or restricted." - Laura Kessler

She also told me that I will find more information on the topic on her website, which is a great reliable source!

The website link is: http://www.laurakessler.com/articles.html#July07

Here is a quote that she writes on the question, "How influential are we as artists?"

"Musically speaking – before we ever evolved into media- frenzied debates regarding the justification of the word "ho" in the vernacular – there was a time not too long ago when the very notes, chords, keys and intervals composers used were actually very strictly monitored. The 3rd interval – now the most basic and essential unit of modern harmony – was still considered a forbidden fruit in the 13th Century. Renegade composers who dared compose with the hedonistic, forbidden chord did so only within secret societies who, according to legend, sometimes met in caves."

The entire article is truly compelling, and it really opens your eyes to just how important artists are in our society today.

Censorship on Film: See a Different Movie if You Have a Problem

“There is internal censorship which the artist imposes on himself motivated by his fear of the unknown. Then there is external censorship which is exercised under constraint by various institutions called upon to maintain that which is known as order, morality, etc.”

-Andrzej Wajda, “Two Types of Censorship”

The censorship of free speech is a crime that violates the US Bill of Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is an act that prevents the artist from presenting his work to the world. When countries ban films from being shown, they’re making the statement that they do not support any kind of free expression.

By banning a film, they place a stigma on that art form, even to the point where self-censorship comes to work, and the artist changes his work to pass through the censorship laws onwards to distribution to the public. In essence, we the viewer do not get the full experience of their work.

I understand that everyone has different tastes in films, but that is what makes moviemaking great. Film has so much to offer, whether it’s comedy, drama, or horror. So why would you stand up in outrage against a film you would never see in the first place?

It comes down to a personal choice. You have the right to voice your opinion against the work, but not the right to outlaw the work. And by the way, where do people get the time to make signs and stand outside a theater to protest a film that they find offensive? Don’t make me feel dirty for seeing a movie just because you may find it offensive. I have the right to see the film just as much as the next person.

And then there’s the argument about censorship for the sake of minors. “Oh, let’s protect the children! This isn’t suitable for the children! Doesn’t anyone care about protecting our children?” Well, I’m sorry, but that’s not the job of the government. Just because a film is offensive doesn’t mean it’s acceptable to ban it from view. And I’m sorry, but it’s not the government’s job to protect your kids. Do some real parenting moms and dads and talk to your kids, show them movies that you feel are appropriate, and wait until their older to show them The Shining on a late night.

USBR & UDHR

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government.”

-Article One, U.S. Bill of Rights (BR)

“The Freedom of Opinion and Information”

-Article 19, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

Malaysia: Country with the Most Banned Films

Movies, and TV shows that were, or are still banned in Malaysia. Over 200 titles listed on IMDB's banned films list for the country. Who knew Malaysia was so uptight with their entertainment...

Check it out at:

http://www.imdb.com/List?certificates=Malaysia:(Banned)&&heading=14;Malaysia:(Banned)

Banned Films and their Posters

Fun Facts:

The poster for Hostel, Part II was banned for its graphic gore. Director Eli Roth took this photo at a slaughterhouse of the excess fat and scraps from the day.

Considered disturbing and graphic just for the sake of shock, Silent Night, Deadly Night has since become a classic cult movie. This film was eventually pulled from theaters after mass protests by the Parent-Teacher Association. Merry Christmas!

New Zealand Banned Monty Python's Life of Brian, Mad Max, and Monty Python's THe Meaning of Life. All of which have since been unbanned for release.

"Saw VI" Banned in Spain

Saw VI banned in Spain

Spanish film officials have banned the latest gruesome Saw movie from cinemas by giving it the same rating as explicit porn films.

The new picture, the sixth in the Saw franchise, revives the hunt for gory serial killer Jigsaw and features scenes of graphic violence as the body count rises.

The gruesome scenes have disturbed bosses at the Spanish Culture Ministry's Film Institute, who have made the unprecedented move of handing the film an 'X' rating. The classification means the picture will miss out on a nationwide release - as there are only eight theatres in the country which are licensed to show 'pornographic' material.

The decision has infuriated the movie's distributors at Buena Vista, who have lodged an appeal against the

rating.

The Saw franchise, which stars Tobin Bell, has been particularly successful in Spain, with the last two movies earning more than US$6 million at the box office.

WENN.com

This is a special form of censorship because Spanish film officials didn't flat out ban Saw VI, but they gave it the hardest rating in the country, the "X" rating. This doesn't al, out ban the film, but it prevents most of the Spanish public from viewing the film, since only eight theatres in Spain have the license to show X-rated films (which are mostly porn).

Source:

"Saw VI banned in Spain." 3 News- Entertainment. 3 News, 24 Oct. 2009. Web. 6 Dec. 2009.

The Top Ten Banned Films

10. The Outlaw (Howard Hughes, 1943)

Banned for years by the Hollywood Production Code. Sold sex in the western genre, showcasing lead actress Jane Russell's breasts. "The film's slogan even read, 'What are the two biggest reasons for Jane Russell's success?'"

"We're not getting enough production from Jane's breasts" -Howard Hughes

9. All Quiet on the Western Front (Lewis Milestone, 1930)

Oscar Winner for Best Picture in 1930, banned in Germany for anti-war themes (also banned in Italy in 1956). "During the film's brief run in Germany, the Nazis released rats into theaters to scare off movie patrons."

8. I Am Curious (Yellow) [Jag är nyfiken - gul] (Vilgot Sjoman, 1967)

Banned in MA as being pornographic. "Faced a landmark court battle in the US and was eventually found to be not obscene by the US Court of Appeals"

7. Birth of a Nation (D.W. Griffith, 1915)

Considered today to be one of the most blatantly racist films in history, D.W. Griffith's epic silent film depicts the KKK in an overtly positive manner, even going as far as to show the "

horror" or government would be in if the blacks had seats in office. However, this film is considered by film historians as a monumental achievement in the visual narrative structure.

Caused riots and uprisings in US cities including Boston and Philadelphia.

Originally banned in several cities due to it's racist themes (including Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Kansas City).

6. The Tin Drum (Volker Schlondroff, 1979)

Based off the critically acclaimed novel, won an Academy Award and the Palme d'Or at Cannes, yet the film was banned in several countries, including parts of Canada, as well as in Oklahoma City for a short time, due to a controversial scene that appears to show minors engaging in oral sex."

5. Hail Mary [Je vous salu, Marie] (Jean-Luc Godard, 1985)

Pope John Paul II spoke out against this modernized tale of the virgin birth.

4. Last Tango in Paris [Ultimo tango a Parigi] (Bernardo Bertolucci, 1973)

Uprising over a controversial "butter scene" in the film between Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider.

3. The Last Temptation of Christ (Martin Scorsese, 1988)

Banned by many US Southern cities because of it's controversial nature and the casting of Willem Dafoe

as Jesus. Fun Fact: Blockbuster Video also refused to carry the film when it was first released on VHS.

2. Titicut Follies (Frederick Wiseman, 1967)

This documentary followed the mistreatment of patients at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution for the Criminally Insane. Specifically banned in the US after the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that the film "violated the patients' right to privacy." The film has since become widely available since PBS aired the documentary in 1992.

1. Cannibal Holocaust (Ruggero Deodato, 1980)

Considered to easily be one of the most horrific films ever made, this film was "banned in many countries upon its initial release due to its graphic gore and sexual violence, as well as for several gruesome (and genuine) animal slaying that appear in the film." One scene that involves the cannibalistic tribe tearing open a living turtle.

Originally banned in:

Italy

New Zealand

Australia

Malaysia

Burma

Norway

South Africa

Finland

Turkey

Singapore

Germany

Iran

Morocco

Banned in Italy from 1980-84; and is still banned in many countries today.

Source:

"Top Ten - Top 10 Banned Films of the 20th Century - Top 10 - Top 10 Banned Movies - Censored
    Movies." Alternative Reel. Shelf-Life Productions LLC, 2009. Web. 6 Dec. 2009.
    . 

BANNED MUSIC IN GERMAN REICH

In 1939, Nazis attempted to transform German music by not allowing any Jewish conductors and performers to play their music. Along with this, any music written by Jews were banned. The Reich Music Examination Office said that the music was inappropriate and undesirable pieces of work.

The list is posted above. It includes songs such as "Help" written by Raoul Roveroni, "Pent up in a Penthouse" by Comor-Williams, and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" by Adec.

I looked further into the song, "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," and I thought it was fascinating that this song was banned, but was later included in the list of Songs of the Century by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The song's chorus is the following:

"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

Coming forth to carry me home

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,

Coming forth to carry me home"

Freedom of Music- Iran

So I found this video for BBC News called Iranians Imprisoned for Playing Indie Rock. I couldn't get the actual video on here, but I do have the link. It's really interesting!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/8044743.stm

Freedom of Speech

"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."

-George Washington.

Freedom of speech has become an essential part of our living. If it was not for freedom of speech, Columbia College Chicago, as we know it, would not exist. Imagine if we were unable to express ourselves through film, writing, animation, music, radio, painting or the countless other art forms that make us who we are. We often forget how privileged we are to be able to express ourselves without limitation.

This website will be showing you a few art forms that have been challenged around the world.