Harry-Meghan concerned over Spotify Covid misinformation, but not enough to let go of $25 mn
SpotifySpotify
Seems like Spotify is the new Whatsapp University. Music streaming platform Spotify is in a spot these days over spreading misinformation about Covid. Hashtags like #CancelSpotify, #DeleteSpotify, #BoycottSpotify and so on are going viral on social media.
Many artists have been demanding that their music be pulled off the platform.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have also shown their concern over misinformation around Covid on the platform.
Let’s first brief you about the incident.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Former television presenter and American podcaster Joe Rogan hosts a podcast with the name ‘The Joe Rogan Experience.’ He is the Number 1 podcaster on Spotify. Earlier this month, Rogan was criticised for spreading misinformation around Covid-19 on the platform. He invited Dr Robert Malone on the podcast; Malone, who was earlier banned by Twitter for spreading misinformation on Twitter.
Rogan discouraged vaccination in young people and promoted the off-label use of the anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin to treat the virus.
270 scientists and medical professionals have signed a letter urging Spotify to take action against Rogan for spreading falsehood.
After this, singer Neil Young declared that he wanted his music to be removed from Spotify. The legendary singer also demanded Spotify choose between him and Joe Rogan.
“Spotify has become the home of life-threatening Covid misinformation. Lies being sold for money. I realised I could not continue to support Spotify's life-threatening misinformation to the music-loving public,” he wrote in an open letter.
SPOTIFY MADE AN OBVIOUS CHOICE: Rogan had received $100 million distribution rights from Spotify in 2020. According to a few reports, Spotify gained more subscriptions after Rogan’s deal. Paid subscriptions reached from 144 million to 172 million.
In a statement on Wednesday, Spotify said that it regretted Young's decision, “but hope to welcome him back soon.”
Not just Neil Young, singer Joni Mitchell also asked Spotify to remove her albums.
WHAT ABOUT PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE?
Along with the artists, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have also shown concerns.
Harry and Meghan had signed a deal worth $25 million to produce and host podcasts on Spotify after their split with the British royal family in 2020.
On Sunday, a spokesperson from their Archewell Foundation said that Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have expressed their concern to Spotify about Covid-19 misinformation.
"Hundreds of millions of people are affected by the serious harms of rampant mis- and disinformation every day. Last April, our co-founders began expressing concerns to our partners at Spotify about the all too real consequences of Covid-19 misinformation on its platform," the spokesperson said.
The couple, however, has declared that they will continue their work with Spotify.
“We have continued to express our concerns to Spotify to ensure changes to its platform are made to help address this public health crisis. We look to Spotify to meet this moment and are committed to continuing our work together as it does,” said the statement.
SPOTIFY’S RESPONSE
After facing flak from multiple quarters, Spotify has now decided to add an advisory on every podcast that discusses Covid-related information.
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said, "We are working to add a content advisory to any podcast episode that includes a discussion about Covid-19. This advisory will direct listeners to our dedicated Covid-19 Hub, a resource that provides easy access to data-driven facts, up-to-date information as shared by scientists, physicians, academics and public health authorities around the world, as well as links to trusted sources."
Spotify will also make platform rules for creators to combat misinformation.
These rules will come into effect within a few days.
JOE ROGAN’S RESPONSE
Amid the backlash, Rogan posted a video on Instagram and apologised. He said, “If I pi**ed you off, I'm sorry.”
He also added, “I will do my best to try to balance out these more controversial viewpoints with other people's perspectives so we can maybe find a better point of view.”
View this post on Instagram
In the video, he also thanked his followers for supporting him.