Spotify says it won’t ban guests after Joe Rogan hosts Alex Jones
Spotify has reportedly taken a new stance against banning guests following podcast host Joe Rogan’s interview with conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on an episode this week.
Horacio Gutierrez, Spotify’s chief legal officer and head of global affairs, wrote in an internal email to managers obtained by BuzzFeed News that anyone with content concerns should report them to the company’s Trust & Safety team, but noted “[i]t’s all too common that things are taken out of context.”
“We are not going to ban specific individuals from being guests on other people’s shows, as the episode/show complies with our content policies,” read one of several “talking points” outlined in the email Wednesday, though it did not names Jones directly, BuzzFeed reported.
Gutierrez also reportedly emphasized the importance of the platform sharing diverse points of view.
“Spotify has always been a place for creative expressions. It’s important to have diverse voices and points of view on our platform,” the email stated, according to BuzzFeed.
“In closing, we appreciate that not all of you will agree with every piece of content on our platform,” Gutierrez wrote, according to the outlet. “However, we do expect you to help your teams understand our role as a platform and the care we take in making decisions.”
The Hill has reached out to Spotify for comment.
Jones had been featured on previous episodes of Rogan’s podcast before he signed with Spotify. The streaming service acquired Rogan’s podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience,” in September.
Rogan hosted Jones and comedian Tim Dillon on his show Tuesday. Spotify was previously among several companies to take actions against Jones, removing his podcast from the platform in 2018.
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