Spotify has only spent 10% of diversity budget promised after Joe Rogan controversy

Spotify is reportedly only using 10% of the $100 million it promised to use to support diversity.

The streaming service has pledged funding in 2022 after being criticized for providing a platform for podcaster Joe Rogan.

In 2021, the 54-year-old podcaster interviewed Robert Malone, a widely discredited doctor who made claims on his show Joe Rogan Experience Americans were “hypnotized” to wear masks and get vaccinated.

Soon after, hundreds of scientists and medical professionals began asking Spotify to address Covid misinformation about Mr. Logan’s controversial episode about vaccines.

This has sparked an onslaught of musicians and celebrities, including Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who have called on Spotify to remove their music and podcasts from the platform.

Spotify removed 70 episodes, Joe Rogan Experience From their platform, they did not terminate Logan’s contract.

The memo I got variety At the time, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek wrote:

“If we believe in having an open platform as a core value of the company, we must also believe in elevating all types of creators, including underrepresented communities and creators from diverse backgrounds.”

Instead, last February, Spotify pledged $100 million to “license, develop and market the music (artists and songwriters) and audio content of historically marginalized groups.”

Rogan’s deal with Spotify is reportedly worth more than double that figure.

However, a new report by bloomberg Spotify detailed that it only spent 10% of the amount promised.

According to the report, Creator Equity Fund is spending little as it struggles with “shifting priorities” and “scheduling delays” for the staff needed to manage the project.

According to the publication’s report, the fund was to be distributed over three years, but did not have a clear purpose for distributing the funds.

Independent We reached out to a Spotify representative for comment.