Music has historically allowed people to express displeasure without fear of censorship or retaliation. Beginning with the broadside, explain how this has been the case. Continue your historical tracing by thinking of other types of music that you know. Why are musicians allowed this freedom? Do you think this is the case in every country?

What will be an ideal response?

Broadsides were often political in nature, and because there was no known composer for most of them, the anonymous authors could freely express their opinions. Songs such as "The Liberty Song" expressed political points of view that could have meant trouble for someone giving a speech in a public forum. Interestingly, music has been used in this manner in America long after the Revolutionary period, and even continued when composer's names were connected with their songs. In the Vietnam era, music groups made powerful statements against the war, and although some songs used veiled language, others contained open criticism of the government. A more recent example occurred during the 2002 American presidential campaign when the country group "Dixie Chicks" overtly criticized President George Bush. In some countries, performers would be jailed for verbally attacking a living president or leader. America's freedom of speech equally applies to song.