Topline
Meghan Markle will launch a previously discussed podcast series on Spotify this summer after her and Prince Harry’s podcast production company, Archewell Audio, held talks with Spotify about reducing misinformation on the platform in the wake of criticism of controversial podcast host Joe Rogan for spreading coronavirus misinformation.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 at Westminster Abbey on March 9, … [+]
Key Facts
Archewell Audio is “encouraged by ongoing conversations” with Spotify about the platform’s strategy to tackle misinformation and will continue with the podcast.
In February, the Sussexes said they expressed their concern to Spotify and had spoken up about coronavirus misinformation on the platform the previous April.
Key Background
In January, 270 doctors and scientists signed an open letter to Spotify criticizing the platform’s misinformation policy and noting several episodes of The Joe Rogan Experience that featured guests spreading false coronavirus information. Spotify pulled more than 110 episodes of the series after artists like Neil Young and Joni Mitchell removed their music from Spotify in protest. The Joe Rogan Experience was Spotify’s most popular podcast last year with an estimated 11 million listeners per episode. Rogan apologized and said he would strive to be “more balanced” in the future. In 2020, Harry and Meghan signed a multi-year exclusive podcast deal with Spotify. They have only released one podcast episode so far, which was a December 2020 holiday special featuring celebrity cameos and their then-infant son, Archie.
Further Reading
Crosby And Stills Join Nash And Young In Spotify Boycott Over Joe Rogan — Here’s The Full List (Forbes)
Meghan Markle Working On Animated Series With Netflix To Celebrate ‘Extraordinary Women’ (Forbes)
Spotify Pulls More Than 110 Episodes Of Joe Rogan’s Podcast (Forbes)
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Sign Exclusive Spotify Podcasting Deal (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2022/03/17/meghan-markle-announces-first-podcast-series-on-spotify-after-ongoing-conversations-over-covid-misinformation/