They said they first raised concerns with Spotify about covid misinformation last April
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have joined growing calls for Spotify to take action against ‘covid misinformation’ being spread on the platform.
The controversy is centred on Joe Rogan and his podcast that is exclusive to Spotify, with Rogan being accused of spreading dangerous theories and views about covid-19.
In a statement released through their Archewell Foundation, the couple said: “Since the inception of 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.”
They continued: “We have continued to express our concerns to Spotify to ensure changes to its platform are made to help address this public health crisis.
“We look to Spotify to meet this moment and are committed to continuing our work together as it does.”
In light of the ongoing controversy surrounding @Spotify’s continued support of Joe Rogan, whose podcast has spread proven misinformation about Covid-19 and vaccine efficacy, a spokesperson for Archewell (Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s foundation) says: pic.twitter.com/MZE7RqTNxY
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) January 30, 2022
The statement comes just days after Neil Young and Joni Mitchell both announced they would be pulling their music from the streaming platform in protest against Spotify allowing covid misinformation to be spread.
Young had cited Joe Rogan in particular as the main culprit in this. In the past, Rogan has voiced his scepticism about the vaccine on The Joe Rogan Experience.
He has also previously promoted baseless claims about the benefits of alternative treatments such as ivermectin to treat covid.
A fortnight ago, a group of 270 physicians, scientists and medical professionals banded together to call for Spotify to take action against Rogan.
The group accused the podcast host of “repeatedly spreading misleading and false claims on his podcast, provoking distrust in science and medicine.”
Related links:
- Prince Harry ‘fears family not safe in UK’ as he files claim over police protection
- James Blunt threatens to release new music on Spotify if they don’t remove Joe Rogan
- Argentina boss reveals Lionel Messi is still suffering effects of covid
