Following Neil Young’s protest over misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines, streaming music service Spotify announces it will add a notice to the beginning of podcasts discussing the coronavirus.
Company chief executive Daniel Ek has laid out more specific rules following backlash over the Canadian singer’s decision to pull all of his songs from the streaming music giant.
Neil Young wanted to signify his disagreement with Spotify for refusing to give up Joe Rogan’s podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience”. The host is heavily criticized for spreading misinformation about the coronavirus.
“There are several individuals and ideas circulating on Spotify that I strongly disagree with,” Mr. Ek said. It is important for me to say that we are not content censors, but also to remember that there are rules in place and there are consequences for those who break them. »
He said the notice will link to Spotify’s COVID-19 platform, which he describes as “a new effort to combat misinformation.” It will be launched over the next few days.
Mr. Ek did not refer to Joe Rogan or Neil Young.
On Sunday, guitarist Nils Lofgren, the guitarist for Bruce Springsteen and the band Crazy Horse, announced that he was impersonating Neil Young. He had his songs from the past 27 years removed from the music service and asked the record companies who owned the rights to his oldest compositions to do the same.
“I encourage all musicians, artists and music lovers everywhere to stand up with us and cut ties with Spotify,” Lofgren said.
Britain’s Prince Harry of Sussex and his wife Meghan have also expressed concerns about misinformation. Both signed a multi-year contract to produce and host podcasts on Spotify.
On Friday, Joni Mitchell announced that she would request the removal of her songs from Spotify in a show of solidarity with Neil Young.
She had posted on her website a letter signed by a coalition of scientists, medical professionals and professors who criticize Spotify for airing Joe Rogan podcasts which they say contain misinformation about the pandemic, including by deterring vaccination in young people and children.