Joni Mitchell pulling music off Spotify over misinformation: ‘I Stand With Neil Young!’

Acclaimed singer and songwriter Joni Mitchell on Friday announced plans to remove her music from Spotify over COVID-19 misinformation spread on the music streaming platform by comedian Joe Rogan.

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The announcement came days after Neil Young issued an ultimatum to Spotify, telling the company that “they can have Rogan or Young. Not both.” Spotify has since begun to remove Young’s music from its platform.

>> Related: Spotify pulls Neil Young’s music after ultimatum over Joe Rogan’s podcast

In an open letter shared Friday by Mitchell and originally published earlier this month, medical experts including physicians, nurses, professors and more, accused Spotify of “enabling its hosted media to damage public trust in scientific research and sow doubt in the credibility of data-driven guidance offered by medical professionals.” In particular, the group pointed to a December episode of the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast that critics say promoted baseless conspiracy theories about COVID-19 vaccines.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Joe Rogan has repeatedly spread misleading and false claims on his podcast, provoking distrust in science and medicine,” the open letter read. “He has discouraged vaccination in young people and children, incorrectly claimed that mRNA vaccines are ‘gene therapy,’ promoted off-label use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 (contrary to FDA warnings) and spread a number of unsubstantiated conspiracy theories.”

>> Read the full letter shared Friday

In a post on her website titled “I Stand With Neil Young!” Mitchell wrote, “Irresponsible people are spreading lies that are costing people their lives. I stand in solidarity with Neil Young and the global scientific and medical communities on this issue.”

Mitchell has 3.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify, according to the streaming service.

>> Related: Neil Young to Spotify: Get rid of Joe Rogan’s podcast or I pull my music

Other artists have also voiced support for Young in the row over COVID-19 misinformation.

“Good for you Neil,” Peter Frampton wrote Thursday in a post on Twitter. “I’ve always been an Apple guy for streaming. No Joe Rogan for me thank you!”

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Joni Mitchell through the years Here are some memorable photos of acclaimed singer and songwriter Joni Mitchell through the years. (Jack Robinson/Getty Images, File)

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