Spotify CEO defends Joe Rogan deal amid growing backlash

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek addressed the backlash towards Joe Rogan on Wednesday after a rising record of artists stated they have been pulling their music from the platform over its failure to take motion towards Covid-19 misinformation.

“We don’t change our insurance policies based mostly on one creator nor do we modify it based mostly on any media cycle or name from anybody else,” Ek stated through the firm’s earnings name. “I do imagine they’re proper for our platform. And whereas Joe has a large viewers — he’s really the primary podcast in additional than 90 markets — he additionally has to abide by these insurance policies.”

Rogan — who signed a $100 million deal giving Spotify unique rights to his present in 2020 — has been on the heart of rising backlash for repeatedly sharing and offering a platform for misinformation across the Covid-19 pandemic and vaccines.

Ek’s feedback got here after the streaming music platform introduced Sunday it will add content material advisories to any podcast episodes discussing Covid-19 — a transfer that got here after a number of musicians, led by Neil Younger, stated they have been pulling their music from the platform for offering an unchecked platform for Covid-19 misinformation.

In response to Spotify’s announcement, Rogan defended himself on Sunday in a 10-minute video posted on Instagram, however vowed to “attempt tougher” to supply extra steadiness on his present, which reaches an estimated 11 million listeners per episode.

“I’m not attempting to advertise misinformation. I’m not attempting to be controversial,” he stated. “I’ve by no means tried to do something with this podcast different than simply discuss to individuals and have fascinating conversations.”

Younger demanded his music be faraway from the service final week over the rising controversy, saying Spotify “can have Rogan or Younger. Not each,” in an open letter on Jan. 24 that was later deleted from his official web site, in accordance with Rolling Stone. On Jan. 26, Spotify stated it agreed to take away Younger’s music.

Different artists, together with Canadian musician Joni Mitchell, India Arie, Nils Lofgren and Younger’s former bandmates, David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash, have since sought to comply with go well with.

Spotify reported a rise of 8 million subscribers within the fourth quarter of 2021, however the firm’s inventory noticed a major quick drop as a lot as 22 p.c after hours on Wednesday, Selection reported.

Through the earnings name, Ek stated the previous a number of weeks have offered a “variety of studying alternative for the corporate,” including that “there’s nonetheless work to be performed.”

In an look on CNBC Wednesday, Ek stated the corporate is attempting to realize a “massive balancing act” which entails “balancing inventive expression with, after all … the protection of our customers.”

That’s why the corporate determined to not too long ago publish its insurance policies for the primary time, Ek stated, noting it ought to have been performed earlier.

“That’s on me,” he stated. “However we’ve them on the market now, so that everybody can take a look at these insurance policies and perceive what goes on our platform. Our purpose clearly is to have as a lot content material as we will. We’re going to try to do the whole lot we will to construct the very best expertise for creators the place they’ll work together and have interaction with their followers and monetize these relationships.”