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Original poster

Do you think Spotify should continue to host Joe Rogan's podcast?

317 replies

lonelyapple · 30/01/2022 17:34

Quite a few singers (Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Nils Lofgren to name a few) have said they want to have their music removed from Spotify as a protest against Spotify hosting Joe Rogan's podcast (they think he is spreading covid vaccine misinformation), so Spotify will have to choose between hosting their music or Joe Rogan's podcast.

I personally think this is ridiculous as Joe Rogan talks to a range of people about a range of different subjects and his podcasts are interesting and popular and people can always choose not to listen to them and even if they do, it doesn't mean they believe everything being said. I don't think Spotify should cave to such threats and I think this would set a dangerous precedent.

www.ft.com/content/a9fdaf0d-8d46-4a16-881f-a1b0635d3ce3

YANBU - Spotify should keep Joe Rogan's podcast.
YABU - Spotify should not keep Joe Rogan's podcast.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
LondonWolf · 30/01/2022 19:39

@countbackfromten

I have cancelled my Spotify premium and closed my account. I don’t have to fund such people and I won’t.
As is your right. Good for you for having the courage of your convictions. Did you listen to all the podcasts in question?
Fangdrew · 30/01/2022 19:39

It’s a bit infantilising to consider removing him - surely the public can decide what and whom they want to listen to? Censorship of opinions by silencing individuals isn’t the way forward, we need thoughtful and informed debate.

FluffyBooBoo · 30/01/2022 19:40

@countbackfromten

I have cancelled my Spotify premium and closed my account. I don’t have to fund such people and I won’t.
You do know that your money goes to the people you listen to.. don't you?
Pumperthepumper · 30/01/2022 19:41

@Fangdrew

It’s a bit infantilising to consider removing him - surely the public can decide what and whom they want to listen to? Censorship of opinions by silencing individuals isn’t the way forward, we need thoughtful and informed debate.
You’re in luck - they still can! Spotify is not the only podcast host, and even if it was, he can choose to host it elsewhere 👍
Lilifer · 30/01/2022 19:42

@FluffyBooBoo

What right does Neil Young or Joni Mitchell have to decide what Joe Rogans 26 million odd listernship get to listen to? Fucking arrogance of them!

That's not what they have done. They have decided that they don't want to be part of the same platform as him - which they are fully entitled to decide.

Nope, if he had done that It would have been fine, I might even have respected him for that but actually before Neil Young flounced from Spotify he told them to remove Joe Rogan or else he would walk away and take his music with him. Do what I want or else Spotify! Thankfully Spotify did not capitulate to this threat and just let him walk. No loss.
1dayatatime · 30/01/2022 19:44

@HoliHormonalTigerlilly

"Twillow
I think they should remove it. Free speech should not be a license to spout uncensored influential shit.

+++

Seemed to be OK for the Brexit campaign though didn't it - "£350 million a week extra for the NHS" or "Turkey is about to join the EU" or "Take back control".

Look politicians have spouted uncensored influential dangerous shit for decades now as have various celebrities or pressure groups and no one advocated censoring or de platforming.

I appreciate and I am sympathetic that many people do find all a bit taxing to weigh up different arguments, doing a bit of critical thinking in order to come to their own opinion. And that for these people being told the "one truth" is a lot easier however it would be wrong to impose that way of thinking on everyone .

thewhatsit · 30/01/2022 19:45

What if it was hosting a really sexist or racist podcast? Something that broke laws (eg hate speech laws) should obviously be removed, but views that I find wrong and distasteful I wouldn’t want removed just because I disagree with them.

LondonWolf · 30/01/2022 19:46

I appreciate and I am sympathetic that many people do find all a bit taxing to weigh up different arguments, doing a bit of critical thinking in order to come to their own opinion. And that for these people being told the "one truth" is a lot easier however it would be wrong to impose that way of thinking on everyone

Well said Grin

FluffyBooBoo · 30/01/2022 19:46

Nope, if he had done that It would have been fine, I might even have respected him for that but actually before Neil Young flounced from Spotify he told them to remove Joe Rogan or else he would walk away and take his music with him. Do what I want or else Spotify! Thankfully Spotify did not capitulate to this threat and just let him walk. No loss

But that is exactly what he did! You might have an issue with the way he did it, but he made the decision that he didn't want to be on the same platform, and gave Spotify the option as to how that came about.

He made no decisions as to what Joe Rogans listens do - he might have had an impact on how they access it, but as it turns out, he didn't. He made no decisions on Rogan's listeners behalf. At all.

countbackfromten · 30/01/2022 19:49

@FluffyBooBoo a tiny amount goes yes. I have found a platform that pays the artists more for streaming (and wish I had done so more) and hasn’t paid Joe Rogan such a vast sum of money. Win win.

Pumperthepumper · 30/01/2022 19:49

[quote 1dayatatime]@HoliHormonalTigerlilly

"Twillow
I think they should remove it. Free speech should not be a license to spout uncensored influential shit.

+++

Seemed to be OK for the Brexit campaign though didn't it - "£350 million a week extra for the NHS" or "Turkey is about to join the EU" or "Take back control".

Look politicians have spouted uncensored influential dangerous shit for decades now as have various celebrities or pressure groups and no one advocated censoring or de platforming.

I appreciate and I am sympathetic that many people do find all a bit taxing to weigh up different arguments, doing a bit of critical thinking in order to come to their own opinion. And that for these people being told the "one truth" is a lot easier however it would be wrong to impose that way of thinking on everyone .

[/quote]
No, it wasn’t ok then either. Again; free speech isn’t a licence to say whatever flits across your mind without consequence.

countbackfromten · 30/01/2022 19:50

@LondonWolf I have actually. I’m a doctor and used to critically appraising evidence. And I have done just that. I hear all sorts of different views but I don’t need to fund people with them.

KeepingAnOpenMind · 30/01/2022 19:52

Definitely.
Are you anti free speech?

freecuthbert · 30/01/2022 19:55

I haven't listened to the podcast myself or heard the claims he is making with my own ears, but I am all for freedom of speech and would be against deplatforming people unless it's very serious (such as promoting hate speech etc). There are literally rapists and murderers on Spotify, and I bet there's far worse things said on the multitude of podcasts on there, bet there's a whole load of vile misogyny too which is often normalised, but I don't hear these musicians standing up against that. Whatever fits their narrative I guess and creates publicity for them.

Gardengates · 30/01/2022 19:56

I think it would be sensible for Spotify to force all podcasters discussing any health issues to add a disclaimer at the start stating that they should see medical advice from a licenced professional or the WHO.

If people chose to ignore that warning, then they are going to believe what they want anyway. And if Joe Rogan refuses to comply, he is in breach of the conditions and that episode can't be aired.

You can lead a horse to water...

I am 100% pro vax but I think people's stance on vaccination is becoming part of their identity because of the pushback on these views and the polarising subject it has become.

It will be much harder for them to change their minds on something which has become a fundamental belief and part of their identity.

Bit like Brexit really.

Pumperthepumper · 30/01/2022 19:57

@freecuthbert

I haven't listened to the podcast myself or heard the claims he is making with my own ears, but I am all for freedom of speech and would be against deplatforming people unless it's very serious (such as promoting hate speech etc). There are literally rapists and murderers on Spotify, and I bet there's far worse things said on the multitude of podcasts on there, bet there's a whole load of vile misogyny too which is often normalised, but I don't hear these musicians standing up against that. Whatever fits their narrative I guess and creates publicity for them.
So you think Spotify should continue to host those rapists and murderers?
SweatyPie · 30/01/2022 19:57

@AgathaMystery

I don’t care if they remove him or not.

I care a lot about the pregnant women I speak to every single day who remain unvaccinated. I could bore you all with takes of human tragedy surrounding unvaccinated pregnant women but what’s the point.

I do not believe Joe is medically trained so he should not be giving out medical advice.

I didn't listen to his podcast, what advice is he actually giving?

FrippEnos · 30/01/2022 19:57

Its ironic that Neil Young has said that he is for free speech yet is trying to strong arm a company to remove a social commentator.

Pumperthepumper · 30/01/2022 19:58

@FrippEnos

Its ironic that Neil Young has said that he is for free speech yet is trying to strong arm a company to remove a social commentator.
What kind of company?
NotquitewhatImeant · 30/01/2022 19:59

I quite admire Neil Young and Joni Mitchell for their stance. They both had polio as children and obviously feel quite strongly about vaccination as a result. Joe Rogan broadcast an episode about how young people didn’t need covid vaccines. They felt it was misinformation and wanted Spotify to take action. It’s a shrewd bit of activism and gets us all talking about whether streaming companies are responsible for their content. I doubt they ever thought Spotify would take down Joe Rogan given he is their main money spinner and they paid so much money to secure his show. Joni Mitchell is an old hand at activism!

LondonWolf · 30/01/2022 19:59

[quote countbackfromten]@LondonWolf I have actually. I’m a doctor and used to critically appraising evidence. And I have done just that. I hear all sorts of different views but I don’t need to fund people with them.[/quote]
Of course. As you're a doctor I am actually really interested in what specifically he or his guests said that you found worrying and offensive enough to actually cancel your subscription? Genuine question.

FrippEnos · 30/01/2022 20:02

Pumperthepumper

What kind of company?

You post that like its some sort of gotcha.

In the same way that spotify doesn't have to host JR's podcast, they also don't need to host NY's music.

LondonWolf · 30/01/2022 20:03

It will be much harder for them to change their minds on something which has become a fundamental belief and part of their identity.

Bit like Brexit really.

Yes. Pretty much every issue these days though. Being able to perform your views to a wide audience on SM and easily find others to join in doing so is a big part of it I think. Also no one seems able to change their mind or agree to disagree anymore. I love "agree to disagree" and feel real affection for anyone who is able to do it because it's just so rare now.

Pumperthepumper · 30/01/2022 20:03

@FrippEnos

Pumperthepumper

What kind of company?

You post that like its some sort of gotcha.

In the same way that spotify doesn't have to host JR's podcast, they also don't need to host NY's music.

Surely, according to your logic, that’s more censorship though?

And it is a gotcha - it’s a private company. So is mumsnet, they can choose to host whoever they like. You can’t set up racist usernames on mumsnet, is that censorship?

1dayatatime · 30/01/2022 20:05

@Pumperthepumper

"No, it wasn’t ok then either. Again; free speech isn’t a licence to say whatever flits across your mind without consequence."

+++

So if I was someone influential ( which I'm definitely not!) do you think I should be blocked from saying that "I believe Boris Johnson has lied about the various parties at Number 10 and should resign / be removed", or that " SportsDirect treats their staff appalling and people should try to avoid shopping there".

Or would you allow such comments on the grounds that although they do have consequences , they are "free speech" of views that you agree with and therefore that makes it alright?