Breezy Explainer: All about the Spotify-Neil Young controversy

Spotify is in between a huge controversy due to Joe Rogan’s podcast that is spreading misinformation on COVID-19 and the vaccines. Musicians such as Neil Young and Joni Mitchell are pulling away from the streaming service. Here’s why.

Spotify controversy: How did it start?

In 2020, Spotify signed a deal with Joe Rogan for exclusive rights on his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience. While Rogan is well known for his racist remarks, misogyny, and transphobic jokes. However, the pandemic intensified, bringing the streaming company more problems as Rogan started spreading the conspiracy theories about the virus and vaccine. In the most recent case, Rojan hosted Malone, who used the platform for promoting a notion that hospitals are being incentivized for falsifying COVID-19 deaths. He also compared American public health policies to the Holocaust. Youtube was fast on removing the preview clips uploaded to YouTube but, the three-hour-long podcast is still on Spotify.

On Wednesday, Spotify stated that they have “removed over 20,000 podcast episodes related to Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic”. The move was made following an open letter signed by more than 270 medical professionals and researchers. They wrote to the firm asking it to “immediately establish a clear and public policy to moderate misinformation on its platform”. The letter also spurred Neil Yong, a prominent musician. He gave the website an ultimatum. “I want you to let Spotify know immediately TODAY that I want all my music off their platform. They can have Rogan or Young. Not both,” he said. “I am doing this because Spotify is spreading fake information about vaccines- potentially causing death to those who believe the disinformation being spread by them,” added Young.

Young is not alone: Joni Mitchell is also following the move

The singer is not alone. On Friday, Joni Mitchell stated that she will also remove her music from Spotify. She is joining Yong’s protest against Spotify’s role in spreading misinformation. “Irresponsible people are spreading lies that are costing people their lives. I stand in solidarity with Neil Young and the global scientific and medical communities,” wrote Mitchell on her website.

High-profile musicians are willing to put their weight and siding with science. “I support free speech. I have never been in favor of censorship. Private companies have the right to choose what they profit from. Just as I can choose not to have my music support a platform that disseminates harmful information,” explained Young. “Amazon has been leading the pack in bringing Hi-Res audio to the masses, and it’s a great place to enjoy my entire catalog in the highest quality available,” he added.

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