Brighton & Hove Council are set to ban pubs and clubs playing live or recorded music that incites hatred towards minorities on grounds of race, sex or religion.
The BBC reports, the playing of all so-called “murder music” could lead to a venue losing its licence.
Last year, dancehall reggae star Buju Banton was due to play at the Concorde 2 venue in the city’s gay district. Buju Banton is one of many dancehall artists, including Beenie Man and Spragga Benz this ban will affect simply because they have recorded songs with homophobic lyrics. Banton’s Boom Bye Bye refers to the shooting of gay men. Buju Banton’s concert was cancelled due to pressure from the council, police, and the city’s gay community.
While I don’t agree with his views and sentiments, I fail to see that listening to such a lyric will result in more violence towards gay men, in the same way as listening to the Clash’s White Riot didn’t push me over the edge and listening to Young, Gifted & Black cannot be blamed for making me feel like a white inadequate teenager.
Councillor Dee Simson, chairwoman of the council’s licensing committee, told the BBC the policy was not to be used “to harm freedom of speech” and that it would only be used in “extreme cases”.
Ms Simson went on to say “I’m a firm believer in freedom of speech but I’m against the incitement of hatred against minorities.”
The Libertarian Alliance condemns the “murder music” ban in Brighton as a naked attack on freedom of speech. Director, Sean Gabb, says:
“I grew up in a country where people had an unquestioned and immemorial right to say what they liked on public issues, and to say it robustly. England is now a country where speech on issue after issue is being policed in the name of protecting minorities.
“What our ruling class calls “incitement of hatred” is actually expression of opinion, and expression of opinion should always be free – no matter how upsetting it may be to certain people.
I’m assuming Brighton pubs and clubs won’t be playing The Tiger Lillies festive ditty Banging in the Nails this year!
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