Darren Hayes · @darrenhayes
18th Jan 2018 from TwitLonger
Re Australian Conservatives use of music for political stunts without permission
Anyone can listen to any music. Anyone can make a Spotify playlist. But if you are a political party, you can’t compile a playlist of songs that espouse your platform, name it after your party, promote it from your political websites and social media, then pretend you are not politicizing the artists involved. You are and you’re doing it without our permission.
You can not make a political statement that requires music as the medium for the message, without it implying the tacit approval of all of those artists mentioned. I, and many of the artists on this bogus playlist would never endorse The Australian Conservatives party. This is not a situation where a customer has made a fun digital mix-tape and shared with their friends. This is a political party using Spotify and the works of artists as the content from which to advertise a very specific political stance.
The playlist was published via the official social media accounts of The Australian Conservatives party in an official capacity as a commentary on their reaction to the broader subject of the conversation in Australia regarding the celebration of January 26 as ‘Australia Day’, and the decision by radio station JJJ to move the date of their annual Hottest 100 Australia Day countdown out of respect for Indigenous Australians.
There can be no confusion, the Australian Conservatives party playlist promoted by Cory Bernardi is a political stunt designed to make a political statement.
I am vehemently opposed to everything Cory Bernadi and his party stand for. But don’t just take my word for it. This quote from Spotify on the matter echoes my sentiments precisely:
“Spotify has actively supported marriage, gender and Indigenous equality initiatives over the last five years, and believes in a diverse and multicultural Australia,” a spokeswoman said. “ We want to make clear we do not endorse this playlist, nor do we have any official ties to the Australian Conservatives party nor any other political party.”
Finally, I would like to remind any political party who seek to use the work of others for political gain or messaging, to read the terms and conditions on Spotify that relate specifically to this situation.
11.4 Brand Playlists and Sharing
The Brand may not create or share any Spotify playlists, whether within the Spotify Service or elsewhere, that imply an endorsement or relationship between the Brand and any artist or any other party, unless the Brand has independently obtained the rights to imply such an endorsement. Brands may wish to consult Spotify’s Brand Playlist Guidelines.
Darren Hayes Jan 18 2018