The decision of Neil Young, who drags his legend behind him like the tail of a comet, to withdraw his songs from Spotify, the popular Swedish music and podcast platform, has aroused the admiration of many. With a touch of amazement, because he will have stood up brandishing his convictions. Joni Mitchell followed suit, then our cantor Gilles Vigneault. It is less common than yesterday to fight for principles when financial losses, large or small, are at stake. No wonder that two singer-songwriters, originally from the ” folk music “, throwbacks to the era to which François Ricard testified in his famous essay The lyrical generation, got the ball rolling. The 1960s and 1970s that saw their talent blossom were more idealistic and less mercantile than our 21stand century. As for Vigneault, he straddles the ages.
One to zero for seniors in the face of spring shoots. Two English Canadians recognized everywhere and a Quebecer with an international aura will therefore have launched their line in the water first. All white heads. Since then, a campaign to unsubscribe from Spotify has been underway among young and old on social networks in order to migrate to less troubled platforms. Leaving the premises remains the best way to protest company policies. This case also demonstrates the importance of generational bridges to consolidate for common fronts. Because the giants want to preserve their brand image. In this, boycotts, which shine the spotlight on a cause, produce a real effect.
Rain and good weather
Recall that Spotify is rain and shine on podcasts by dominating Apple and Amazon. The platform rolls out its red carpet to Joe Rogan, loud king of the audience. The Joe Rogan Experience constitutes a forum for reflections and interviews with more or less controversial guests. Neil Young had warned Spotify upstream: “You can keep Joe Rogan or me. Not both. » The singer of heart of gold accused the American host of misinformation on COVID-19, for having encouraged young people in particular to do without vaccination.
Spotify deserved strong boycott campaigns for years. It offers derisory royalties to most of the musicians it welcomes. Non-English speakers are the most underserved, including Quebecers. But the blaze was lit on another front.
Last week, by simply deploring the departure of Neil Young, Spotify had de facto supported its champion Rogan with the big exclusive contract. Nevertheless, the platform, now in dire straits, brought a series of corrective measures at the end of the week, soon to be in force, to put out the fires. Thus, when it comes to COVID-19 (hot topic), links will be relayed to the recommendations of scientific authorities. As for Rogan, he promises to be more careful in the future, without losing his platform. Too profitable for that. Plus, everyone is walking on eggshells. The management of Spotify had already said that it did not want to dictate content to the voices it broadcasts, taking the example of rappers. These, on often very violent lyrics, are not in the lace.
The Young/Rogan standoff is part of what has become a major debate in many forums. Freedom of expression against the desire to push aside theories that disturb or are considered downright harmful to the fight against health. It will be nice to take a position, do not easily cut this Gordian knot that wants.
Like a devil in holy water
Neil Young struggles like a devil in holy water in the face of accusations of wanting to gag dissenting voices. Moreover, he and the others withdrew their songs without demanding the departure of the one they pointed to. Everything is clear on this side.
The fact remains that although we disapprove of Rogan’s positions, this uneasiness floats over the control exercised by a platform over the content of its broadcasts. The culture of banishment is all the more frightening because it affects democratic values of speaking out in the public space, withdrawn from those who swim against the tide. And this, at a time when the eraser of artistic works and fragments of history is not wielded with a dead hand.
Social media has adjusted its flutes by banishing Donald Trump, conspiracy theorists, virulent extremist voices, resurfacing elsewhere. From now on, podcast forums are faced with the same challenges as the Facebooks of this world. But in the absence of an improbable consensus among the giants of the waves as to the limits and methods of possible repressions, the debate will remain stinging. Because based on two real rights that clash. Turbulence will stir the cage for a long time.