Spotify CEO Condemns Joe Rogan’s Use Of Racial Slurs, But Says Company Won’t Be ‘Silencing’ Him
Fans have been urging Spotify to completely remove Joe Rogan’s content over his rhetoric on race and Covid-19. So far, singer India Arie and some podcasters have began to abandon the platform over Rogan, but Spotify seems to be standing by his side.
RELATED: Joe Rogan Speaks Out To Apologize After Repeatedly Using The N-Word In Viral Clip
Late Sunday in a memo sent to staff, Daniel Ek, the chief executive of Spotify, addressed Joe Rogan’s past use of racial slurs saying that while he found the comments “incredibly hurtful” and inconsistent with company values, he did not believe “silencing” the podcaster was the answer.
“We should have clear lines around content and take action when they are crossed, but cancelling voices is a slippery slope,” he writes. “Looking at the issue more broadly, it’s critical thinking and open debate that powers real and necessary progress.” Rogan, himself who vowed last week to do better when discussing matters related to the pandemic, apologized Saturday morning after getting backlash over a video compilation of him using the n-word was widely shared on social media.
“I know that to most people there’s no context where a white person is ever allowed to say that word, never mind publicly on a podcast and I agree with that now. I haven’t said it in years,” said Rogan, 56. “It’s not my word to use, I’m well aware of that now.”
Press Play Below For More:
RELATED: India Arie Doubles Down On Boycotting Spotify & Again Blasts Joe Rogan Over N-Word Use