COVID-19

Spotify Confirms it Will Remove Neil Young's Music after Joe Rogan COVID-19 Ultimatum

JAN 25 2022·Updated JAN 4 2023

Story

Image credit: Reuters [via Business Insider]

The Facts

Spotify confirmed on Wednesday that it has begun to delete Neil Young's music, stating the service is sad to see him leave and hopes he will return.
Business Insider
Young posted a letter to his management team on Monday demanding they remove his catalogue from the platform.
Rolling Stone
The 76-year-old Canadian-American made the demands in light of comments and interviews with respect to COVID-19 and vaccination from Joe Rogan, Spotify's most successful podcast host.
Axios
Rogan, also a comedian and UFC commentator, signed an exclusive licensing deal with Spotify worth over $100 million in 2020. His show frequently attracts upwards of 11 million viewers per episode.
The Wall Street Journal

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Rogan has routinely spread dangerous COVID misinformation which could endanger people's lives. Spotify needs to act swiftly to prevent this threat to public health.

CNN

Narrative B

The podcast host is engaged in an honest debate of ideas. Restricting or removing his show is censorship and would stifle dialogue on important subjects.