The controversy surrounding the animator Joe Rogan splashes France.
According to information from Fact&Furious, the Swedish company Spotify recently suspended the account of ERFM, the online radio station of Egalité et Réconciliation, a political group co-founded by Alain Soral.
Read alsoSpotify reacts to the “antivax” controversy
If the essayist is known for his polemical positions – he has been convicted several times for contesting crimes against humanity and negationism – it is indeed under disinformation against Covid-19 that the sanction fell.
“
Spotify has decided to remove podcasts and has blocked the ERFM account from its platform due to non-compliance with its content policy
”, explains the music streaming specialist.
The ERFM account is not only present on the Spotify service.
There are versions on the other major platforms Apple Music and Deezer.
According to our findings, most of the content on these channels has not been taken down.
On its site, Equality and Reconciliation called his ousting from Spotify "
expeditious Zionist justice
", denouncing "
censorship
".
Aftermath of the Joe Rogan case
Globally, Spotify has come under heavy criticism over its moderation policy in recent days.
Folk rock legend Neil Young has spearheaded a boycott, blaming the streaming giant for hosting the podcast of hugely popular but controversial American host Joe Rogan.
The latter is accused of spreading disinformation on the Covid-19 and making racist remarks.
Read alsoSpotify case: podcaster Joe Rogan or America out loud
Neil Young was followed by Canadian folk singer Joni Mitchell, leading to a movement to unsubscribe from Spotify on social networks.
And British Prince Harry and his American wife Meghan Markle - who signed an agreement estimated at $25 million with the platform - expressed "
their concerns
" with the Swedish giant.
In an attempt to put out the fire, the CEO of Spotify, Daniel Ek, announced the introduction, in all his podcasts evoking the Covid, of links which will guide users to factual and scientifically sourced information.