Harry And Meghan Call Out Spotify Over Joe Rogan Podcast Controversy

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have released a statement addressing misinformation on Spotify after the platform received backlash for hosting Joe Rogan's podcast.

Spotify has lost billions of dollars in market value after artist Neil Young announced he was removing his music from the streaming service in protest of the vaccine misinformation being shared through it.

Rival streaming services TIDAL and Apple Music expressed their support for Young, while singer Joni Mitchell has since followed suit. Many social media users have also announced the decision to end their subscriptions over Spotify's decision to keep Rogan on the platform.

Harry and Meghan had their say on the matter in a statement released today, January 30, in which they said the issue of misinformation on Spotify is one they have been trying to tackle since April 2021.

Per The Independent, they said: 'Since the inception of [their non-profit organisation] Archewell, we have worked to address the real-time global misinformation crisis. Hundreds of millions of people are affected by the serious harms of mis- and disinformation every day. Last April, our co-founders began expressing concerns to our partners at Spotify about the all too real consequences of Covid misinformation on its platform.'

The statement went on to explain that Harry and Meghan have 'continued to express' concerns to Spotify to 'ensure changes to its platform are made to help address this public health crisis', adding: 'We look to Spotify to meet this moment and are committed to continuing our work together as it does.'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (Alamy)

Young accused Spotify of 'potentially causing death to those who believe the disinformation being spread by them', and honed in on Rogan's podcast as he said: 'They can have Rogan or Young. Not both.'

Earlier this month, 270 members of the science and medical community wrote a letter to Spotify to address misinformation being spread on Rogan's podcast, describing it as 'not only objectionable and offensive, but also medically and culturally dangerous.'

Per NME, they wrote: 'By allowing the propagation of false and societally harmful assertions, Spotify is enabling its hosted media to damage public trust in scientific research and sow doubt in the credibility of data-driven guidance offered by medical professionals.'

Phone with Spotify app (Pixabay)

In response to Young's announcement, Spotify said it regretted the artist's decision but hoped to 'welcome him back soon.' The musician later said he 'felt better' after leaving the platform and said he was 'happy' to stand in solidarity with front line health care workers.

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