Appendix 6 - International Music Council

MUSIC DIVERSITY QUESTIONNAIRE
1. The complementarity or reciprocity between the protection of musical diversity and
that of human rights.
• Cite examples where music expression or music diversity have been repressed by
direct action of government or action by others directed by government, or by
others acting to pre-empt direction by government.
As far as this investigation allows us to know, it seems that there is not any kind of
repression of musical diversity by direct action of government in any of the Latin American
countries. Nevertheless, not all musical expressions are treated with equality and not all
styles have the same privileges. The result is a non-official but clear censorship from the
media, and a violation of natural forms and contexts of musical expression. Generally, these
breaches are not sanctioned or emended by government.
Frequently, governmental authorities and cultural institutions commit different kinds of
mistreatment and violations to everyday, common and logical rights:
Certain live musical performances on stage which are not supported by media events, for
instance, some classical music, some ethnic music, bohemian singers, not famous groups,
do not receive fair payment and in some cases, adjoining activities to the same presentation
are not considered in the budget, like the one that occurred in Argentina in which the
organizers of a concert didn’t want to pay the expenses of a piano transportation, because
transport is not a cultural activity! Quiero un país con dignidad. La Cultura otra vez al
cadalso. Cristina Castello. http://www.paginadigital.com.ar It should be noted that in
many countries in Latin America, the government is often responsible for the support both
economical and promotional of musicians and music.
On the other hand, there was a case in Mexico in which certain songs belonging to an
ancient traditional music genre named “corrido” –which narrates real rural and urban
stories- was considered objectionable and broadcast was forbidden because its content was
about drug dealers´ financial profit and their triumphs in incidents with the police.
En México prohíben en las radios los narcocorridos.
http://www.chalino.com/noticias/prohiben-narcocorridos.asp
• In the countries where there is such repression of musical expression or diversity,
are there other notable breaches of human rights?
Some people do not have the opportunity to participate in the education in their own
culture; music education generally is deficient, with the exception of Cuba.
FUENTE: Forum Panamericano sobre educación musical. Memoria. Consejo de la Música
en México/CIM
2. The links between musical diversity and economic development and the fight against
poverty.
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