Hear No Evil: Music Censorship

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debates over censorship in music was the Parent Music Resource Center (PMRC) Congressional hearings on September 19, 1985. The PMRC is a Washington women’s group that informs parents about violent or obscene music. The group was founded in 1985 by Tipper Gore, along with three other women (Stolder 30). Mrs. Gore left the PMRC in 1993 (Gowen 20) and Barbara Wyatt currently holds the office of PMRC president (Stolder 30). The PMRC was the group responsible for the introduction of the record industry’s “Parental Advisory” stickers in 1990. These stickers are placed upon all albums that are deemed obscene or violent. The PMRC is a powerful group, with a lot of backing in Washington, but they face some tough opposition in the hearings.
The opposition to the PMRC was a group of record industry representatives and musicians. They are not a formal group. Their belief that music censorship opposes the artists right to free speech brings them together and gives them the strength ...

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caused a rash of pro-censorship bills to be introduced. Through out their comments to congress, the PMRC uses all the appeals to convince their audience, but most of their appeal stems from the use of pathos.
Tipper Gore uses many references to young children in her speech. Anything that pertains to children appeals to our emotions because children are seen as some what helpless and they need our protection. She states, “...young people who are forming their characters and developing their value systems...” (PMRC Congressional Hearings 48). In doing so, Mrs. Gore gives her audience a sense of guilt for the possible damage that they could be causing children by not regulating music. No ...

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