greenleaf
05-12-2007, 05:35 PM
Council To Ban 'Murder Music' That Incites Hatred (http://uk.news.yahoo.com/skynews/20071205/tuk-council-to-ban-murder-music-that-inc-45dbed5.html)
By Sky News SkyNews - Wednesday, December 5 02:02 pmBrighton is set to become the first city in Britain to ban music that incites hatred towards minorities.
Plans to outlaw so-called "murder music" in venues, pubs and clubs are expected to be ratified next week as part of a review of Brighton & Hove City Council's licensing policy.
All music - whether played live or recorded - that allegedly incites hatred towards minorities on religious, racial or sexuality grounds could lead to a venue losing its licence.
The popular Concorde 2 club last year cancelled a gig by dancehall reggae artist Buju Banton after pressure from the city council, police and Brighton's large gay community.
The Jamaican singer courted controversy after recording Boom Bye Bye in 1992, which featured homophobic lyrics referring to the shooting of gay men.
Banton has since signed up to a commitment to ban hatred and prejudice from his music.
Up until now there has been no firm policy preventing venues in Brighton and Hove from staging similar acts.
But city councillors are set to include the ban as part of an overhaul of the current licensing policy, which expires in January.
Councillor Dee Simson said: "This is not a policy which is to be used to harm freedom of speech but it will be used in really extreme cases to stop the playing of what's loosely termed murder music."
She added: "We have a large gay and lesbian community in Brighton and Hove and we want to protect people from facing such hatred."
Peter Tatchell, of gay rights group OutRage!, said: "Brighton council is to be congratulated for its decision to ban the performance of music that incites the murder of lesbians and gay men.
"Free speech does not include the right to advocate the killing of other human beings."
By Sky News SkyNews - Wednesday, December 5 02:02 pmBrighton is set to become the first city in Britain to ban music that incites hatred towards minorities.
Plans to outlaw so-called "murder music" in venues, pubs and clubs are expected to be ratified next week as part of a review of Brighton & Hove City Council's licensing policy.
All music - whether played live or recorded - that allegedly incites hatred towards minorities on religious, racial or sexuality grounds could lead to a venue losing its licence.
The popular Concorde 2 club last year cancelled a gig by dancehall reggae artist Buju Banton after pressure from the city council, police and Brighton's large gay community.
The Jamaican singer courted controversy after recording Boom Bye Bye in 1992, which featured homophobic lyrics referring to the shooting of gay men.
Banton has since signed up to a commitment to ban hatred and prejudice from his music.
Up until now there has been no firm policy preventing venues in Brighton and Hove from staging similar acts.
But city councillors are set to include the ban as part of an overhaul of the current licensing policy, which expires in January.
Councillor Dee Simson said: "This is not a policy which is to be used to harm freedom of speech but it will be used in really extreme cases to stop the playing of what's loosely termed murder music."
She added: "We have a large gay and lesbian community in Brighton and Hove and we want to protect people from facing such hatred."
Peter Tatchell, of gay rights group OutRage!, said: "Brighton council is to be congratulated for its decision to ban the performance of music that incites the murder of lesbians and gay men.
"Free speech does not include the right to advocate the killing of other human beings."