Joe Rogan broadcasts the warring parties right through a ceremonial weigh in for UFC 264 on Jul. 9, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Stacy Revere | Getty Photographs
Spotify’s Leader Govt Officer Daniel Ek has apologized to his staff for the way in which wherein the Joe Rogan podcast controversy has impacted them, however stated he has no plans to drop the podcaster from the platform.
“There are not any phrases I will be able to say to adequately put across how deeply sorry I’m for the way in which The Joe Rogan Revel in controversy continues to have an effect on every of you,” he wrote in a word to body of workers that was once supplied to CNBC by means of a Spotify spokesperson.
“No longer handiest are a few of Joe Rogan’s feedback extremely hurtful — I need you to shed light on that they don’t constitute the values of this corporate,” Ek stated. “I do know this case leaves a lot of you feeling tired, annoyed and unheard.”
On Friday, a compilation video of Rogan the usage of the N-word was once shared on social media platforms.
In an Instagram submit Saturday, Rogan described the video as “terrible” and stated it was once the “maximum regretful and shameful factor” he is ever had to speak about publicly.
He stated the video is made up of clips “taken out of context” from 12 years of conversations on his podcast.
“It appears f—— terrible, even to me,” Rogan stated. “I do know that to the general public there is not any context the place a white individual is ever allowed to mention that be aware, by no means thoughts publicly on a podcast. I accept as true with that now. I have never stated it in years.”
He admitted that for a very long time he would simply say the be aware as an alternative of claiming the N-word. “I believed so long as it was once in context, folks would perceive what I used to be doing,” Rogan stated.
Dozens of Rogan’s podcast episodes had been got rid of from Spotify in the previous couple of days, however Ek stated there are not any plans to tug Rogan from the platform.
“Whilst I strongly condemn what Joe has stated and I accept as true with his resolution to take away previous episodes from our platform, I understand some will need extra,” Ek stated.
“And I need to make one level very transparent — I don’t imagine that silencing Joe is the solution. We will have to have transparent strains round content material and take motion when they’re crossed, however canceling voices is a slippery slope.”
Ek stated Spotify will as an alternative make investments $100 million for the licensing, building, and advertising of track and audio content material from traditionally marginalized teams.
Covid conspiracies
Rogan, who famously smoked a spliff with Tesla CEO Elon Musk in 2018, has additionally been accused by means of clinical pros of again and again spreading conspiracy theories about Covid-19. Spotify has additionally been underneath hearth for website hosting the episodes. In 2019, it purchased the unique streaming rights to “The Joe Rogan Revel in” in a deal reportedly value greater than $100 million.
Remaining month, 270 clinical pros wrote an open letter to the streaming massive asking it to do so in opposition to Rogan’s podcast, accusing the corporate of broadcasting incorrect information.
Musicians corresponding to Neil Younger and Joni Mitchell lately boycotted Spotify for proceeding to host Rogan’s podcast.
In a separate apology remaining week, Rogan stated: “I am not looking to advertise incorrect information, I am not looking to be arguable. I have by no means attempted to do anything else with this podcast as opposed to to only communicate to folks.”
Ek informed CNBC remaining Thursday he was once proud of the corporate’s reaction to rising controversy round Covid incorrect information at the platform.