At her daily press briefing, White House press secretary Jen Psaki says Spotify's decision to add disclaimer is 'a positive step,' but 'more' can be done to call out 'mis- and dis-information.'
- Feb 2, 2022
AceShowbiz - White House has jumped into the controversy of COVID-19 misinformation Joe Rogan's podcast. After Spotify responded to the concerns by announcing that it would begin adding disclaimers to podcasts that discuss COVID, WH press secretary Jen Psaki thinks it's not enough.
At her daily press briefing on Tuesday, February 1, Jen was asked by Politico's Max Tani about Spotify's decision to add content advisories to podcast episodes that discuss COVID-19 and related issues. "This disclaimer, it's a positive step," Jen said, before adding, "but we want every platform to be doing more to be calling out mis- and dis-information, while also uplifting accurate information."
"Ultimately, our view is that it is a positive step, but there is more that can be done," she added. Addressing all streaming platforms in general, she continued, "Our hope is that all major tech platforms, and all major news sources for that matter, be responsible and be vigilant to ensure the American people have access to accurate information on something as significant as COVID-19. That certainly includes Spotify."
Spotify took the action after musicians such as Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and Nils Lofgren removed their music from Spotify in the wake of controversial comments on "The Joe Rogan Experience".
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were among those who have voiced their concerns over the same issue. In a statement released on Sunday, a rep for the couple said, "Last April, our co-founders began expressing concerns to our partners at Spotify about the all-too-real consequences of COVID-19 misinformation on its platform. We have continued to express our concerns to Spotify to ensure changes to its platform are made to help address this public health crisis."
The statement added, "We look to Spotify to meet this moment and are committed to continuing our work together as it does."
Joe, meanwhile, has addressed the controversy in an Instagram video. Disagreeing with the term "misinformation," he argued that "many of the things we thought of as mission a short while ago is now thought of as fact," including some that are not being promoted by the mainstream media, such as the effectiveness of vaccines against contracting the virus and the effective of cloth masks.
He, however, agreed with Spotify's decision to add disclaimers. He also promised to do his "best to try to balance out these more controversial viewpoints with other people's perspectives." He added, "I would most certainly be open to doing that. And I would like to talk to some people who have differing opinions on the podcasts in the future. I do all the scheduling myself and I don't always get it right."
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson praised the UFC color commentator for his response to the controversy. "Great stuff here brother. Perfectly articulated," so the former wrestler commented underneath the post. "Look forward to coming on one day and breaking out the tequila with you."
