“One of the things I am thinking about is what additional steps we can take to further balance creator expression with user safety,” Ek wrote. High-profile figures like Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and author Roxane Gay pulled their content from Spotify in protest of the company’s inaction against Rogan’s platforming of false public health information.

Robert Malone, a virologist banned from Twitter for spreading misinformation about COVID-19. Tensions escalated recently when 270 medical professionals signed an open letter to Spotify urging the company to implement rules around misinformation after Rogan, who is one of the most-listened to podcasters in the industry, hosted Dr. Joe Rogan, Alex Jones and Spotify’s illusion of neutrality But it wasn’t long before the already controversial figure stirred up even more concern from Spotify users after platforming guests like Alex Jones, a far-right conspiracy theorist who has spread misinformation about COVID-19. Spotify signed “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Rogan’s podcast, to an exclusive, multi-year $100 million deal in May 2020, making 11 years of content available only on the platform. Looking at the issue more broadly, it’s critical thinking and open debate that powers real and necessary progress.” “We should have clear lines around content and take action when they are crossed, but canceling voices is a slippery slope.

“I want to make one point very clear - I do not believe that silencing Joe is the answer,” Ek wrote to Spotify staff. This is the same amount of money that Spotify paid to Joe Rogan for his exclusive content deal.

In the memo, which was published by The Hollywood Reporter, Ek declared that Spotify will invest $100 million in the licensing, development and marketing of music and audio content from historically marginalized groups. Over 70 of these past episodes have now been removed from Spotify. In the latest installment of the Spotify-Rogan saga, CEO Daniel Ek sent out a company memo on Sunday addressing Joe Rogan’s use of harmful racial slurs in past episodes of his podcast.

Joe rogan spotify roxane gay