The Spotify: Hate Speech and Political Correctness in Today’s Digitized and Cancel Culture World

Case Overview James Edwards, the protagonist in the case, hears the song Money for Nothing on Spotify and wonders why this song wasn’t flagged as explicit. Spotify is a digital music, podcast, and video service that provides users with access to millions of songs and other content from creators all over the world. It is one of the largest music streaming service providers. This critical incident examines free speech and censorship regarding Spotify’s Explicit Content Policy as it applies to the Dire Straits top 40 hit song Money for Nothing. This decision-based case is well suited for undergraduate courses in journalism, ethics, law, and government policy courses. Research Method The information contained in this case was gathered from secondary sources and the only name that is disguised is the protagonist. Learning Outcomes (LO) By completing this critical incident, students should be able to achieve the following: 1. Discuss the concept of political correctness 2. Distinguish between hate speech and free speech 3. Critique the disparaging aspect of slurs used today 4. Assess and improve the content policy of social media platform 5. Recommend an explicit or non-explicit flag on Social Media Platform policy Application This critical incident requires students to analyze the "offensiveness" factor in digital music. It has been utilized in an upper-level strategic communication management course, but it can also be used in courses in mass communication, law, ethics, and journalism. Key Words Free speech, hate speech, ethics, social media, political correctness, offensiveness