One hearing witness told the committee that the music industry's labeling of sexually explicit and violent rock lyrics is encouraging, not deterring, the purchase of albums by America's youth. Most marketing directors, let alone psychologists, agree that the more profane, base and exploitative messages appeal to the younger and more immature minds. Barbara Wyatt, president of the Parents' Resource Center on Music Lyrics, said voluntary labeling, which has been controlled by the music industry for 13 years, tells parents very little about what lyrics say. The problem is that many recordings which should be labeled are not, and often the labels are not very obvious. But the American Civil Liberties Union, in written testimony submitted to the panel, warned Congress against overstepping legal boundaries in its quest for change in the music industry.
Music receives precisely the same constitutional protection.
Bitol said the music-lyrics controversy, as in all classic First Amendment disputes, is over what some people believe to be dangerous ideas. It is about harm-and the music industry must take responsibility for its products. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, told witnesses that Congress was limited in how much it can do to correct the problems. The committee is chaired by Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., who sought the hearing. While industry executives assert that children are protected from this music, much evidence suggests that most hyper-violent albums are bought by children.