The head of embattled streaming service Spotify has told staff that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/neil-young-demands-spotify-remove-his-music-over-joe-rogan-disinformation-447959">Joe Rogan</a> is vital to the company, but that he doesn't agree with the controversial podcaster.

The comments were published Thursday as the firm's stock went into freefall. Spotify has found itself stuck between its $100 million flagship talent and a popular backlash over Covid-19 misinformation on his shows.

Chief executive Daniel Ek told up-in-arms employees they did not have editorial control over 'The Joe Rogan Experience', which garners up to 11 million listeners per episode.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-graham-nash-india-arie-withdraw-music-from-spotify-in-protest-of-joe-rogan-450250">Graham Nash, India Arie withdraw music from Spotify in protest of Joe Rogan</a>

"There are many things that Joe Rogan says that I strongly disagree with and find very offensive," he said, according to a transcript of the company town hall published by The Verge.

But "if we want even a shot at achieving our bold ambitions, it will mean having content on Spotify that many of us may not be proud to be associated with.&nbsp;

"Not anything goes, but there will be opinions, ideas, and beliefs that we disagree with strongly and even makes us angry or sad."

- Stock rout -

Shares in the company were down 17 percent Thursday in New York, as tech stocks dropped across the board. These shares have been on the slide since November, but have been badly hit by news that its subscriber growth is slowing.

The drop also comes as controversy swirls over the mega deal with Rogan, who has been accused of spouting misinformation about Covid-19 and vaccination, either directly or through the guests he has on his show.

<a href="http://13.235.153.162/entertainment/dwayne-johnson-shows-support-for-joe-rogan-amid-spotify-misinformation-controversy-449731" hreflang="en">Dwayne Johnson shows support for Joe Rogan amid Spotify misinformation controversy</a>

That led last week to a burgeoning boycott spearheaded by folk-rock star Neil Young and Canadian songstress Joni Mitchell, who asked for their songs to be removed from the platform.

In response Ek announced this week that they would add a content advisory to podcasts about Covid-19, directing listeners to scientific and medical sources.

The Verge reported that staff had been eagerly awaiting the company meeting, with some feeling increasingly frustrated that Spotify was being driven by its deal with Rogan.

Ek told employees that podcasts such as Rogan's were vital if Spotify were to get its head above the competition in a crowded streaming field.

"We needed to find leverage, and one way we could do this was in the form of exclusives," he said, according to the transcript. "To be frank, had we not made some of the choices we did, I am confident that our business wouldn’t be where it is today."

But that is not to say the company agrees with everything its big-name podcast host utters, Ek said, framing Spotify not as a publisher, but as a platform.

"It is important to note that we do not have creative control over Joe Rogan’s content," he said.

"We don’t approve his guests in advance, and just like any other creator, we get his content when he publishes, and then we review it, and if it violates our policies, we take the appropriate enforcement actions."

Spotify is the latest tech company to find itself on the horns of a dilemma that pits a controversial -- and moneymaking -- anti-establishmentarian against advertisers, employees and public outrage.

Last year Netflix was forced to walk the line between defending comedian Dave Chappelle and placating critics who accused the company of giving air to anti-trans sentiment.

The head of embattled streaming service Spotify has told staff that Joe Rogan is vital to the company, but that he doesn't agree with the controversial podcaster.

The head of embattled streaming service Spotify has told staff that Joe Rogan is vital to the company, but that he doesn't agree with the controversial podcaster. The comments were published Thursday as the firm's stock went into freefall. Spotify has found itself stuck between its $100 million flagship talent and a popular backlash over Covid-19 misinformation on his shows. Chief executive Daniel Ek told up-in-arms employees they did not have editorial control over 'The Joe Rogan Experience', which garners up to 11 million listeners per episode. Graham Nash, India Arie withdraw music from Spotify in protest of Joe Rogan "There are many things that Joe Rogan says that I strongly disagree with and find very offensive," he said, according to a transcript of the company town hall published by The Verge. But "if we want even a shot at achieving our bold ambitions, it will mean having content on Spotify that many of us may not be proud to be associated with. "Not anything goes, but there will be opinions, ideas, and beliefs that we disagree with strongly and even makes us angry or sad." - Stock rout - Shares in the company were down 17 percent Thursday in New York, as tech stocks dropped across the board. These shares have been on the slide since November, but have been badly hit by news that its subscriber growth is slowing. The drop also comes as controversy swirls over the mega deal with Rogan, who has been accused of spouting misinformation about Covid-19 and vaccination, either directly or through the guests he has on his show. Dwayne Johnson shows support for Joe Rogan amid Spotify misinformation controversy That led last week to a burgeoning boycott spearheaded by folk-rock star Neil Young and Canadian songstress Joni Mitchell, who asked for their songs to be removed from the platform. In response Ek announced this week that they would add a content advisory to podcasts about Covid-19, directing listeners to scientific and medical sources. The Verge reported that staff had been eagerly awaiting the company meeting, with some feeling increasingly frustrated that Spotify was being driven by its deal with Rogan. Ek told employees that podcasts such as Rogan's were vital if Spotify were to get its head above the competition in a crowded streaming field. "We needed to find leverage, and one way we could do this was in the form of exclusives," he said, according to the transcript. "To be frank, had we not made some of the choices we did, I am confident that our business wouldn’t be where it is today." But that is not to say the company agrees with everything its big-name podcast host utters, Ek said, framing Spotify not as a publisher, but as a platform. "It is important to note that we do not have creative control over Joe Rogan’s content," he said. "We don’t approve his guests in advance, and just like any other creator, we get his content when he publishes, and then we review it, and if it violates our policies, we take the appropriate enforcement actions." Spotify is the latest tech company to find itself on the horns of a dilemma that pits a controversial -- and moneymaking -- anti-establishmentarian against advertisers, employees and public outrage. Last year Netflix was forced to walk the line between defending comedian Dave Chappelle and placating critics who accused the company of giving air to anti-trans sentiment.

Spotify boss defends Joe Rogan deal as stock plunges

More musicians are withdrawing their music from<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/neil-young-demands-spotify-remove-his-music-over-joe-rogan-disinformation-447959"> Spotify</a> despite the audio platform's efforts to assure audiences that the streamer would add content advisories to its podcasts about COVID-19. 
 
Graham Nash and India Arie are the latest celebrities to announce that they are following in the footsteps of Neil Young and Joni Mitchell by removing their music from the platform, reported Variety. 
 
Nash said in a statement that he "completely agrees" with his Crosby, Stills, Nash &amp; Young bandmate Neil Young after "having heard the COVID disinformation spread by Joe Rogan on Spotify."Nash added, "I am requesting that my solo recordings be removed from the service."While Young, Mitchell and Nash exited Spotify because of Joe Rogan`s podcast spreading COVID misinformation, India Arie noted on Instagram that she is leaving Spotify because of Rogan`s "language about race"."Neil Young opened a door that I must walk through," Arie wrote on Instagram.

<a href="http://13.235.153.162/entertainment/dwayne-johnson-shows-support-for-joe-rogan-amid-spotify-misinformation-controversy-449731" hreflang="en">Dwayne Johnson shows support for Joe Rogan amid Spotify misinformation controversy</a> 
 
She added, "I believe in freedom of speech. However, I find Joe Rogan problematic for reasons other than his Covid interviews. For me, it`s also his language around race." 
 
Arie continued, "What I am talking about is respect -- who gets it and who doesn`t. Paying musicians a fraction of a penny? And him USD 100 [million]? This shows the type of company they are and the company that they keep. I`m tired."Rogan received backlash last month after engaging in a debate about what it means to be Black with podcast guest Jordan Peterson.

<a href="http://13.235.153.162/entertainment/hollywood/news-joe-rogan-responds-to-spotify-podcast-controversy-says-hes-a-big-fan-of-neil-young-449131" hreflang="en">Joe Rogan responds to Spotify podcast controversy, says 'he's a big fan of Neil Young'</a> 
 
Rogan said it`s "very strange" that anyone would call themselves Black unless they`re from the "darkest place" of Africa, adding, "There`s such a spectrum of shades of people. Unless you`re talking to someone who is, like, 100 per cent African, from the darkest place, where they are not wearing any clothes all day and they`ve developed all that melanin to protect themselves from the sun. You know, even the term Black is weird. When you use it for people who are literally my color, it becomes very strange."

<a href="http://13.235.153.162/entertainment/lifestyle/news-prince-harry-and-meghan-voice-concern-to-spotify-over-covid-19-misinformation-449303" hreflang="en">Prince Harry and Meghan voice concern to Spotify over COVID-19 misinformation</a> 
 
Following Young and Mitchell`s departures, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek announced a plan to add warning labels on its global platform to content that skirts the line between "what is acceptable and what is not."In his statement, Ek vowed that Spotify would affix warnings on podcast episodes that include conversations about COVID-19. Notably, Ek did not specify any content creators by name in the statement. 
 
Rogan then came forward with a 10-minute video posted on his Instagram in which he said, "I`m not trying to promote misinformation."Rogan admitted that it`s important he "makes sure that I`ve researched these topics -- the controversial ones in particular -- and have all the pertinent facts at hand before I discuss them," adding, "I`m not trying to be controversial. I`ve never tried to do anything with this podcast other than just talk to people and have interesting conversations."

More musicians are withdrawing their music from Spotify despite the audio platform's efforts to assure audiences that the streamer would add content advisories to its podcasts about COVID-19.

More musicians are withdrawing their music from Spotify despite the audio platform's efforts to assure audiences that the streamer would add content advisories to its podcasts about COVID-19. Graham Nash and India Arie are the latest celebrities to announce that they are following in the footsteps of Neil Young and Joni Mitchell by removing their music from the platform, reported Variety. Nash said in a statement that he "completely agrees" with his Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young bandmate Neil Young after "having heard the COVID disinformation spread by Joe Rogan on Spotify."Nash added, "I am requesting that my solo recordings be removed from the service."While Young, Mitchell and Nash exited Spotify because of Joe Rogan`s podcast spreading COVID misinformation, India Arie noted on Instagram that she is leaving Spotify because of Rogan`s "language about race"."Neil Young opened a door that I must walk through," Arie wrote on Instagram. Dwayne Johnson shows support for Joe Rogan amid Spotify misinformation controversy She added, "I believe in freedom of speech. However, I find Joe Rogan problematic for reasons other than his Covid interviews. For me, it`s also his language around race." Arie continued, "What I am talking about is respect -- who gets it and who doesn`t. Paying musicians a fraction of a penny? And him USD 100 [million]? This shows the type of company they are and the company that they keep. I`m tired."Rogan received backlash last month after engaging in a debate about what it means to be Black with podcast guest Jordan Peterson. Joe Rogan responds to Spotify podcast controversy, says 'he's a big fan of Neil Young' Rogan said it`s "very strange" that anyone would call themselves Black unless they`re from the "darkest place" of Africa, adding, "There`s such a spectrum of shades of people. Unless you`re talking to someone who is, like, 100 per cent African, from the darkest place, where they are not wearing any clothes all day and they`ve developed all that melanin to protect themselves from the sun. You know, even the term Black is weird. When you use it for people who are literally my color, it becomes very strange." Prince Harry and Meghan voice concern to Spotify over COVID-19 misinformation Following Young and Mitchell`s departures, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek announced a plan to add warning labels on its global platform to content that skirts the line between "what is acceptable and what is not."In his statement, Ek vowed that Spotify would affix warnings on podcast episodes that include conversations about COVID-19. Notably, Ek did not specify any content creators by name in the statement. Rogan then came forward with a 10-minute video posted on his Instagram in which he said, "I`m not trying to promote misinformation."Rogan admitted that it`s important he "makes sure that I`ve researched these topics -- the controversial ones in particular -- and have all the pertinent facts at hand before I discuss them," adding, "I`m not trying to be controversial. I`ve never tried to do anything with this podcast other than just talk to people and have interesting conversations."

Graham Nash, India Arie withdraw music from Spotify in protest of Joe Rogan

Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson has shown his support for Joe Rogan after the podcast host responded to the handful of artists protesting his presence on Spotify. 
 
According to Fox News, on Monday, Rogan had released a nearly ten-minute video response to critics calling for the platform to remove 'The Joe Rogan Experience' podcast, arguing that he often spreads misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic on the show. 
 
Last week, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and guitarist Nils Lofgren announced that they were pulling their music off the platform until it addresses the issue of misinformation on Rogan's show. Meanwhile, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry also issued a statement noting they had some concerns about misinformation on the platform, where they have an exclusive deal, without mentioning Rogan directly. 
 
However, in the comments of Rogan's lengthy video, in which he defended the content of his show as well as the qualifications of the guests he had on, Johnson complimented the UFC commentator and said that he hopes to come on 'The Joe Rogan Experience' soon. 
 
The actor wrote, "Great stuff here brother. Perfectly articulated. Look forward to coming on one day and breaking out the tequila with you." 
 
Although Johnson has never been on Rogan's popular podcast, the duo has had a few friendly exchanges on social media and the former 'Fear Factor' host previously backed Johnson in 2020 amid speculation that the former WWE star was planning to run for political office, according to Fox News. 
 
Rogan's video post lasted about 10 minutes. He spoke about the challenges of preparing for his shows that are unscripted and free-flowing. He defended his interviews with Dr. Peter McCullough, a cardiologist, and Dr. Robert Malone, an infectious disease specialist, that resulted in some criticism and apparently led to Young`s decision to call on his songs being removed from the platform. 
 
He challenged the word "misinformation" given that so much is still being learned about COVID-19. He said Spotify will begin to put a disclaimer at the beginning of these sorts of interviews, and he will also consider following them up with an expert with a different opinion.&nbsp;

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Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson has shown his support for Joe Rogan after the podcast host responded to the handful of artists protesting his presence on Spotify. According to Fox News, on Monday, Rogan had released a nearly ten-minute video response to critics calling for the platform to remove 'The Joe Rogan Experience' podcast, arguing that he often spreads misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic on the show.

Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson has shown his support for Joe Rogan after the podcast host responded to the handful of artists protesting his presence on Spotify. According to Fox News, on Monday, Rogan had released a nearly ten-minute video response to critics calling for the platform to remove 'The Joe Rogan Experience' podcast, arguing that he often spreads misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic on the show. Last week, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and guitarist Nils Lofgren announced that they were pulling their music off the platform until it addresses the issue of misinformation on Rogan's show. Meanwhile, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry also issued a statement noting they had some concerns about misinformation on the platform, where they have an exclusive deal, without mentioning Rogan directly. However, in the comments of Rogan's lengthy video, in which he defended the content of his show as well as the qualifications of the guests he had on, Johnson complimented the UFC commentator and said that he hopes to come on 'The Joe Rogan Experience' soon. The actor wrote, "Great stuff here brother. Perfectly articulated. Look forward to coming on one day and breaking out the tequila with you." Although Johnson has never been on Rogan's popular podcast, the duo has had a few friendly exchanges on social media and the former 'Fear Factor' host previously backed Johnson in 2020 amid speculation that the former WWE star was planning to run for political office, according to Fox News. Rogan's video post lasted about 10 minutes. He spoke about the challenges of preparing for his shows that are unscripted and free-flowing. He defended his interviews with Dr. Peter McCullough, a cardiologist, and Dr. Robert Malone, an infectious disease specialist, that resulted in some criticism and apparently led to Young`s decision to call on his songs being removed from the platform. He challenged the word "misinformation" given that so much is still being learned about COVID-19. He said Spotify will begin to put a disclaimer at the beginning of these sorts of interviews, and he will also consider following them up with an expert with a different opinion. ×

Dwayne Johnson shows support for Joe Rogan amid Spotify misinformation controversy