I found this article in the opinion section of the courier-post. As soon as I read it, I knew that this would be a good topic and fingerpointer to talk about, especially since we have been going over this subject in class. This article, entitled Sensitivity can have its limits, is about the censoring of specific songs by Clear Channel Communications. They have given out a list of about 150 songs that radio stations should consider before playing. They claim that they are not banning the songs; the list is just a suggestion. However, everyone knows that when your employer gives you a suggestion, you should abide to it.
             Some of the songs on the list include Steve Millers Jet Airliner, Shes Not There by the Zombies, and John Lennons Imagine.
             The reason I picked this article is because lately in class we have been talking about censorship and the media. I thought this article best represents how the media, specifically Clear Channel Communications, takes censorship overboard. Now let me start off by saying that I am saddened, just like the rest of America, by the event that took place on 9-11-01. However, I do not believe America should hide from reality. I think it is better to face it and deal with it on a daily basis. I am not saying that people should jump on a plane and not even remember 9-11-01, but I do believe that people should be able to listen to a certain song that has the words New York and airplane in it. To start the healing process, America needs to be able to listen to music and watch television programs with the images of planes and violence in them. The more the world is sheltered from healing, the worse people are going to be, and America will never return to normalcy.
             I think Clear Channel Communications is taking the banning of certain songs too seriously. I havent seen the list, but I can just imagine what songs they thought would be offensive to people.
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