Key Takeaways:
- In response to the controversy surrounding comedian and podcast host Joe Rogan, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek stated that the company is “trying to strike a balance between creative utterance and our users’ safety.”
- Following the backlash, Spotify announced that a content warning would accompany any podcast episode discussing Covid-19.
On Wednesday, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek reacted to the controversy surrounding comedian and podcast host Joe Rogan and said that the company is “trying to balance creative utterance with our users’ safety.”
In the company’s post-earnings call on Wednesday, Ek said, “Of course, this is a very complicated issue.” “However, I’m extremely proud of the steps we took in response to the medical and scientific communities’ concerns.”
According to the company, Spotify’s business ended in 2021 with 180 million paid subscribers. However, after its fourth-quarter earnings, which provided weak growth guidance, Spotify’s stock dropped more than 20% after hours on Wednesday.
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After artists like Neil Young and Joni Mitchell questioned Spotify to remove their music from the platform last week, the streaming music company has found itself in the middle of a firestorm. Joe Rogan, host of the popular Spotify podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience,” has made numerous false and inaccurate claims about COVID-19 and vaccines.
After the backlash, Spotify announced that any podcast episode that discusses Covid-19 would include a content advisory. According to the company, the advisory will direct audiences to a COVID-19 hub that links to trusted sources.
“We don’t change our policies relying on one creator, but neither do we change it based on any media cycle or starts calling from anyone else,” according to Ek.
“While Joe has a large audience,” he added, “he also has to follow those policies.”
According to Ek, Rogan is the company’s No. 1 podcast in more than 90 markets.
The Spotify CEO also stated that the company has had “several learning opportunities” over the last few weeks.
“There’s still a ton of work to do,” Ek said. “However, I’m pleased to see Spotify putting in place several first-of-their-kind measures to combat misinformation and increase transparency.”
“He’s not trying to promote misinformation,” Rogan said earlier this week in response to the controversy.
“With this podcast, I’ve never tried to do anything other than talking to people and have amusing conversations,” Rogan said in an Instagram video posted on Sunday.
Source: CTV News
