arts censorship in the US (redux)

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the  decision ruling Allen Ginsberg’s "Howl" to be of significant artistic importance, WBAI radio in NY, planned on broadcasting the poem yesterday.

However, In fear of violating FCC regulations and receiving fines amounting to the loss of the entire business, WBAI refrained from reading the poem on air.  Instead the station posted a reading of Howl online at the Pacifica news network’s site.

Shame on the FCC for establishing such draconian measures and inciting such fear to quell freedom of speech in 2007.   Especially after a court ruling 50 years ago,  and  similar failed court injunctions to censor the art of Robert Mapplethorpe, the NEA-4, etc.  in the 80′s and early 90′s.

Terribly sad to see these tactics of censorship return to the forefront of our culture after such a rich history of legal precedence.

More:
‘ACLU Howls Against the FCC Destroying the Best Poems of a Generation‘ (ACLU Press Release)
‘Howl’ in an Era that Fears Indecency (NY Times)