Canceling Joe Rogan is not ‘the answer’ Spotify CEO stated

Joe Rogan has placed Spotify in a hardcore spot, however, the streaming giant just isn’t prepared to function means using the popular podcast host despite intense critique over their anti-coronavirus vaccine remarks and making use of racial slurs.

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek stated in a note to workers Sunday that Rogan’s racist language had been “incredibly hurtful” and that the host had been behind the elimination of a large number of episodes regarding the Joe Rogan Enjoy.

“While We strongly condemn exactly what Joe has stated and I also accept their choice to get rid of previous episodes from our platform, We understand some will need more,” Ek stated into the note.

“And I do want to make one point specific — I don’t think that silencing Joe may be the solution.”

The page may be the clearest indicator yet of where Spotify appears on Rogan’s fate using the business as some performers, including Neil younger, Janis Joplin, and Asia Arie, have actually drawn their work through the streaming solution in protest among others could follow.

Spotify apparently paid $100 million to exclusively host Rogan’s podcast, which now threatens the underside line it is additionally an integral area of the company’s technique to be a one-stop search for audio.

“We need to have clear lines around content and do something when they’re crossed, but canceling voices is a slippery slope. Taking a look at the problem more broadly, it is critical thinking and available debate that capabilities genuine and necessary progress,” Ek penned.

He said he had been “deeply sorry” for the effect the debate ended up being having on Spotify’s workers. Rogan apologized Saturday for their utilization of the N-word on some previous episodes.

Spotify’s move most likely won’t stay well with one part of an extremely polarized nation where you can find heightened sensitivities on competition and vaccine misinformation, professionals state.

On their page, Ek announced a good investment of $100 million to license, develop and promote “music and sound content from historically marginalized groups,” without giving more details.

Rogan’s public troubles started on January 24 when young asked to own their music eliminated over issues Rogan had been marketing skepticism in regards to the COVID-19 vaccines. Other performers adopted suit, including Joni Mitchell and Roxane Gay.