Censoring ‘immoral’ songs by Nicki Minaj, Bruno Mars and Ariana Grande is futile, Indonesian musicians say

The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission has taken exception to 42 songs by Western artists – including hits by Justin Bieber, Rita Ora and Ariana Grande – accusing them of ‘immoral’ lyrics

While the country has a long history of censorship, dating back to President Sukarno in the 1960s, critics say the latest measures are at best a token measure in the internet age of streaming and VPNs

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Cardi B and Bruno Mars perform ‘Finesse’. A song by the pair, ‘Please Me’, has attracted the displeasure of the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission. Photo: AP

Published: 2:00pm, 13 Jul 2021Updated: 9:06pm, 13 Jul 2021

The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission’s decision to censor 42 songs by Western artists including Nicki Minaj and Bruno Mars on the grounds their lyrics are “immoral” has raised eyebrows among critics who say the action is futile in the age of the internet.

The commission, also known as the KPI, ruled recently that the songs would be completely banned on the radio in West Java before 10pm, though after that time, versions with censored lyrics would be allowed to air.

While Indonesia has a long history of censoring songs, critics have attacked the latest move as being behind the times, saying that widespread access to streaming services like Spotify and the use of VPNs (virtual private networks) make it a token move at best.

Announcing the decision, Adiyana Slamet, head of the West Java branch of the KPI, said the songs – which include Justin Bieber’s Lonely, Rita Ora’s How We Do, Ariana Grande’s Positions and Maroon 5’s Beautiful Mistakes – had been banned under Law 32 of the Indonesian Broadcasting Code for numerous reasons, but many contained “words of violence and obscenity or allude to sexuality”.

Adiyana added that the purpose of Law 32 was to ensure Indonesian broadcasting “upheld integrity”, “fostered character” and protected the national identity as “faithful and pious”.

Also among the offending songs are Eminem’s Lose Yourself, Jay-Z’s Empire State of Mind and the Bruno Mars/Cardi B collaboration Please Me.

Nicki Minaj is among the artists to be censored by the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission. Photo: AP

While the move has surprised many Indonesians and been ridiculed by some musicians, this is far from the first time the KPI has censored either foreign or local artists.