SDCNews One

Spotify Shuts Down SDC News One’s ‘Citizen Journalists Radio’; Backlash Follows From Streets to the White House

Spotify Shuts Down SDC News One’s ‘Citizen Journalists Radio’; Backlash Follows From Streets to the White House

By IFS NewsWriters, Staff Reporters

October 20, 2025

NEW YORK — In a move that has sent shockwaves through independent media circles, Spotify has officially canceled SDC News One’s Citizen Journalists Radio, a grassroots radio show built entirely on street commentary and social media-sourced audio from platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. 

The cancellation, confirmed late Sunday night, has ignited a firestorm of responses—from praise by media critics to outrage from listeners, citizen contributors, and even political figures.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7nr5lBsJm9EwRqwINDJba6?si=b5QXVCfLRDez_5vOH2frmg

Citizen Journalists Radio - Backlash Follows From Streets

Among the most vocal for citizen journalists radio is Professor Ben Medias, co-founder of the Medias Touch Network, who called for regular citizens journalists to use their video, voices and microphone. The cancellation "an attack on the evolving voice of the people" and vowed to continue the mission of citizen-powered media through new channels.

“Citizen Journalists Radio wasn’t just a show—it was a megaphone for everyday Americans,” said Kenneth Howard Smith, founder of The SDC Institute in a fiery statement on Monday. 

“This was a platform where barbershops, corner stores, protest lines, bedrooms, vehicles, living rooms and kitchen tales became newsrooms. Spotify might have silenced the stream, but they won’t silence the streets. We're already building the next phase—real citizens, real news, and no corporate gatekeepers."

From Sidewalk to Soundwaves

Launched in 2024 by Smith on his SDC TalkRadio platform, with outside distribution by SDC Digital, Citizen Journalists Radio gained rapid popularity for its unfiltered audio clips, often sourced directly from trending TikToks or real-time YouTube livestreams. It gave voice to those often excluded from polished newsrooms: working-class voices, youth perspectives, and on-the-ground reactions to national events.

Segments ranged from spontaneous interviews with striking workers to raw, often emotional reactions from disaster zones, protest sites, and community gatherings. Edited together into a tight, rhythmic radio format, the show created a mosaic of modern America—vulnerable, chaotic, but undeniably authentic.

Spotify, which had licensed the program as part of its push into alternative news content, did not provide a detailed explanation for the sudden removal. A brief press release cited “editorial concerns and platform standards,” sparking speculation that mounting political pressure or corporate risk aversion played a role.

White House Reaction: “Dangerously Undisciplined”

Perhaps most unexpectedly, the cancellation even drew attention from the President of the United States, who commented on the matter during a press briefing on Monday morning that was "off record". When asked about the show’s removal, the President responded with unusually harsh language:

“This so-called ‘citizen journalism’ is dangerously undisciplined. We need facts, not feelings. We’re not going to let viral videos masquerade as verified reporting.”

The President’s remarks behind the doors were immediately criticized by media watchdogs and civil liberties groups, who interpreted them as an attack on free expression and participatory journalism.

Ben Medias responded directly on social media, calling the President’s words “tone-deaf and authoritarian.”

“Calling the people’s voice ‘dangerously undisciplined’ says more about the establishment than it does about the people. Maybe if they listened to the streets, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”

What Really Happened Behind the Scenes?

Insiders suggest growing internal tension at Spotify may have played a role. Several episodes of Citizen Journalists Radio had drawn scrutiny for airing unverified claims and politically charged street clips without context. Critics argued that the show blurred the line between journalism and viral spectacle, while supporters saw it as a necessary disruption to sanitized corporate media.

“Spotify took a risk by giving this show a platform,” said one former Spotify content strategist who spoke under condition of anonymity. “But once it started trending in uncomfortable political territory—and the White House started paying attention—they pulled the plug.”

What’s Next for Citizen Media?

Despite the cancellation, the show's producers have signaled plans to relaunch independently. With support from grassroots networks and influencers, a decentralized version of the show is rumored to be in development, potentially using blockchain-based audio platforms or Patreon-backed podcasting networks.

Smith relaunched a new program under the banner of Citizen confirmed Monday that his team is already in talks to host a new version of the program under the Medias Touch Network banner, emphasizing "no filters, no fear, and no corporate leash."

“The people are the press now,” Medias said. “And we’re just getting started.”

A Tipping Point for Journalism?

The fallout over Citizen Journalists Radio has reignited a national debate: Who gets to define journalism in 2025? As traditional institutions struggle with public trust, the cancellation of a people-powered show—however imperfect—has exposed deep tensions between institutional control and democratic expression.

“Citizen Journalists RadioVoices is messy, but so is democracy,” said media analyst Kendra Doss. “What we’re witnessing is a power struggle over narrative—and Spotify just showed which side it’s on.”

Follow sdcog.net for continuing coverage of newspapers from around the world, on digital media, censorship, and the rise of citizen-powered journalism.

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Kama Linden -

 Kama Linden  -

Basic Band Info

Band Name:

Kama Linden

Album Name:

Cold Nights

Year Released:

2013

Email Address:

Website:

https://kamalinden.com

Music Style:

Pop Upbeat

Influences:

Prince, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift

We Sound Like:

Doecii

Performing Rights Society:

ASCAP (USA)

Label Affiliation:

Unsigned

Geographic

Hometown:

BRONX

Country:

United States

Touring your Region?:

Yes

 

ABOUT KAMA LINDEN

Kama Linden is a fireball of energy, passion, and versatility. This gutsy lyricist draws you in with her edgy lyrics and voice , lulls you in with SMOOTH vocals, and has you grooving with sultry sounds that are undeniably her own. Live on stage, she has gathered many a crowd at various festivals and other venues large and small.

She spent three years touring the USA (and Amsterdam in 2007) in support of her first release, UNINHIBITED 2006 (a mix of POP/Rock and some urban/dance mixes which keeps the listener both interested and entertained), and has been touring the USA and abroad in support of her second album release, BETTER LATE THAN NEVER (which has a balance of fully produced songs, as well as simpler, more acoustic takes).

 SOUTHERN COMFORT (2013), along with her children's song single: IT TAKES ALL KINDS(2013), were recorded in NASHVILLE with all live studio musicians. And now, the long-awaited new studio album, EVERYTHING IN GOOD TIME, which is both a dedication to her Nana, Mom, and love for the Jersey Shore, but the self-reflective, mostly biographical, adult contemporary album you have all been waiting for. 

Once again, this was recorded in Nashville, under the direction of Master Engineer Rodney Ingle, at Misstyx Studios, thanks to Darla Perlozi. The stellar musicianship of Darla (drums), Timmy Patterson (bass), Tony Toliver (piano) and James Mitchell (guitar) brought Kama's songs to a level never before heard on her past albums, as well as capturing her voice the way it should be recorded.

2025 has been quite busy. Not only has she been performing at wineries and breweries all summer and fall in NJ, PA and MD, but she has been releasing and will continue to release self-produced singles: “You Can't AI Me Away” (March 2025), “Ride” (April 2025), “Cold Nights” (September 2025), and “I Hate Pumpkin Spice” (October 2025). Learning to record, edit, and master in Garage Band, and then Logic 11.2 has taken her music and computer tech skills to a whole new level.

Although her albums are fully orchestrated, she usually tours as an acoustic soloist or plays with a partner or acoustic trio. Although she most often plays on Eastern Seaboard lately, as well as four concert tours in California, she also has performed abroad in London/Southeast/Devon, Wales, Amsterdam, AUSTRALIA and Prague. 

She has performed in many a festival such as SUNBURY RIVER FESTIVAL for four consecutive years, Nashville Songwriter's Festival, Art by the Ferry, Halstead Market Days, FIGMENT, Jersey Shore Festival for three years, Porch Stomp, and the Birdman Festival (UK). 

Even as a solo act, she’s sure to knock 'em dead for she holds nothing back. She also performs many pop/rock and country covers. Her songs have been licensed to small films; "Another Me" was used for a Blue Cross Radio Spot in California. "Bitter Lemon" was featured on a Radio Show in Nashville called "Sauced" in July 2008: WLAC 1510 AM.

Her song "Crossed Over" from UNINHIBITED 2006 is being featured in a Book that was released as a 9/11 remembrance by ArtForHealingNYC.Org. She also plays at many benefits and Charity Events.

Her songs are dominating, sexy, and will make you think and feel about the human experience. And now, with "EVERYTHING IN GOOD TIME", the music was worth the wait.

Kama Linden, Singer-songwriter-guitarist and now MUSIC PRODUCER has release not one, but THREE self-produced pop/upbeat/somewhat rap singles this year:

March 17th "You Can't AI Me Away" in response to AI taking over people's jobs and livelyhoods, as well as being used to replace SAG AFTRA performers such as herself, both in the Film/TV industry and now in music. Anyone can use an AI to write a song now, and even pretend to be an artist. But will the listeners buy in?

https://open.spotify.com/album/7JMtKoBsOfLyUi5HTn7UJf?si=TZoetOu_TGu1lCN5KKhKow

RIDE! Is a fun song to ruise around the hood in, or drive to the beach, with your top down and some good friends. https://open.spotify.com/album/52fcRAUo5dwX6WwUac1qCg?si=-6eCuu3CThGmBedMWsBIKQ

Cold Nights, which just posted to Spotify today (Sept 28th), is a "Teddy Swims" styled song to tell that special someone that you want them to snuggle up with you and keep you warm.

https://ope.spotify.com/album/43tDQTW7UkOdO0Zg1RYfwh

"You're On Video" is actually from my "Everything In Good Time" album, as "I Hate Pumpkin Spice" is still in the works, but it also fits the genre better so that Radio can streamline my sound.

https://open.spotify.com/track/4VyPvJez1NT4VZvgdG8UXR?si=412b83d25e8441d9

For my other works, Pop, Country, Adult Contemporary, visit www.kamalinden.com

 

Arkansas Man Found Hanging In A White Man's Shed Locked From The Outside!!

https://www.youtube.com/live/pL5NjNGvKbk?si=zCy1F20rW7m1SH-m

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