Science VS, a Spotify-owned, award-triumphing podcast, will handiest launch new episodes focused on the platform’s personal incorrect information troubles till it enacts harder rules. Host Wendy Zukerman and editor Blythe Terrell stated the choice turned into in direct reaction to Spotify’s help of Joe Rogan, a pass that “felt like a slap withinside the face.” Spotify observed itself mired in controversy in past due January 2022 after Joe Rogan hosted a physician that made claims approximately COVID vaccines which have been again and again debunked and confirmed wrong. Unfortunately, none of that turned into highlighted, making it seem like the physician turned into bringing up facts.
The backlash turned into speedy and severe, with Neil Young pulling his song from the platform. According to Engadget, he wasn’t alone. Joni Mitchell pulled her song, and Brené Brown paused her famous podcast. India Arie and Graham Nash have stated they may be pulling their song as well, bringing up different problems with Rogan’s podcasts, along with his tone on race.
Science VS’ New Focus
Despite the high-profile defections, Zukerman and Terrell’s choice concerning Science VS can be the maximum embarrassing and symbolically devastating for the platform.
In an open letter to Spotify CEO Daniel Elk, Zukerman and Terrell stated they may not be generating new episodes of the podcast — besides for episodes focused on incorrect information on Spotify. That’s proper, Spotify’s personal award-triumphing podcast will now cognizance handiest on its personal platform’s incorrect information hassle till the ones troubles are well addressed.
“On Sunday, Spotify posted its Platform Rules, however we don’t suppose they cross a ways enough,” the duo wrote. “Until Spotify implements more potent strategies to save you the unfold of incorrect information at the platform, we can not be making new Science VS episodes, besides the ones meant to counteract incorrect information being unfold on Spotify.”
The duo additionally stated they could be getting to know the exclusive techniques that massive structures presently rent to slight content material to be able to decide their effectiveness. The duo welcomed a conversation with Spotify to assist similarly the company’s efforts.
It seems Spotify is open to that, with Terrel tweeting the company “desires to paintings with us, which appears like a step withinside the proper direction.”
Spotify’s present day problems function a cautionary story to content material and media structures now no longer to disregard the perspectives of these who’ve helped make such structures famous. Doing so can bring about big troubles, luxurious defections, and embarrassing inner rebellions.