The typical record retailer knows that there is no such thing as a “typical” consumer. Most record stores stock thousands of titles in an effort to satisfy as many different kinds of musical tastes as they can — including recordings with explicit lyrics. Just as musical tastes vary, so do parenting styles, cultural norms, community standards, and business practices when it comes to the subject of explicit lyrics and children.

NARM has always sought to be supportive of:

• The artist’s right to free expression,
• The parent’s right to identify entertainment with explicit content, and
• The retailer’s right to handle explicit content according to how each believes they can best meet the needs of their company and communities.

For more information on Parental Advisory, please refer to the links and materials below:

Links Of Interest

For Parents:

• “Parental Media Guide” at ParentalGuide.Org
• RIAA: Parental Advisory
• RIAA: Pause Parent Play
• RIAA: Music & Internet Leaflet
• RIAA: Computer Protection Tips

For The Industry:

• The Retailer Checklist
• Sample Language for Retailers Regarding the Parental Advisory Program
• RIAA: Parental Advisory
• RIAA Parental Advisory Program Standards
• The Federal Trade Commission regularly conducts reviews and secret shopper surveys of industry practices regarding the marketing and sales of violent entertainment to children. The sixth follow-up report, “Marketing Violent Entertainment to Children,” has been provided to Congress, and we are providing a copy of the report at this link for you to review. The Executive Summary regarding music begins on Page iii and Recommendations on Page iv. Specific discussions regarding music recordings begin on Page 19, in the Conclusions beginning on page 40, and in the Appendices on page D-8. We encourage you to read the report and note where your company practices have been discussed.

Parental Advisory P.O.P. Program

Informing consumers about explicit content serves as the best defense against government regulation and censorship. NARM partners with RIAA to provide retailers and wholesalers with language, both in English and Spanish,explaining the Parental Advisory, as well as the Parental Advisory Logo to be used by retailers and wholesalers on store signage, web sites, etc.

• English version: The Parental Advisory is a notice to consumers that recordings identified by this logo may contain strong language or depictions of violence sex or substance abuse. Parental discretion is advised. This store reserves the right to restrict sales to children of product carrying the Parental Advisory.

• Spanish version: La notificación a los padres es un aviso a los consumidores que las grabaciones identificadas con éste logo pueden contener lenguaje fuerte ó representaciones violentas, sexuales ó de consumo de drogas. Se aconseja discreción paternal. Esta tienda se reserva el derecho restringir las ventas a menores del producto marcado con ésta Notificación a los Padres.

Entertainment Ratings & Labeling Awareness Month

NARM works with the Coalition of Entertainment Retail Trade Associations (CERTA) and its members — DiMA, EMA and NATO — on “Entertainment Ratings and Labeling Awareness Month,” an annual campaign to increase awareness and use of entertainment ratings and advisory labels for motion pictures, video games and music by consumers and to remind retailers to reinforce ratings education and enforcement in their establishments. Members who want to learn more about the Parental Advisory program and the entertainment industry’s ratings and labeling systems can go to http://www.ERLAM.org.