Joe Rogan
Photo: Getty Images, Michael S Schwartz. All rights reserved.
In a ten-minute monologue via Instagram, stand-up comedian and podcaster Joe Rogan announced his view of things in the dispute with Neil Young and Co. He pleaded for “freedom of expression”, poured verbal ashes on his polished head – and vowed to get better.
The controversy, which continued to simmer, erupted when the highly paid Spotify show host gave pandemic skeptics Robert Malone and Peter McCullough free rein on his show to spread their borderline Covid theses. Rogan himself does not appear as a general opponent of vaccination, but makes false statements about mRNA vaccines. In the summer of 2021, for example, he claimed that this would mean real gene therapy; which is not true.
Rogan speaks of opinions and “dangerous misinformation”
Now the former martial arts presenter declared the statements of his youngest guests as “opinions”. However, Rogan also acknowledged “dangerous misinformation” from the studied riot doctors. In the future, he will be better prepared for talks in which delicate points of view emerge. “Before I discuss, I need to have all the relevant facts at hand.” He is not interested in being controversial at any price. “I’ve never tried to do anything with this podcast other than talk to people and have interesting conversations.”
Spotify hit
The commitment to better research might sound strangely naïve for a multi-million dollar professional. VIPs like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, singer Jewel or star DJ Kaskade applauded his plea digitally. But for Spotify, the matter is by no means off the table after other musicians such as India Arie or ex-Young comrade-in-arms Graham Nash announced their withdrawal from the streaming service.
It’s not so much about their sheer power in the digital biz, but rather about the social debate that comes at the wrong time from Spotify boss Daniel Eck in view of falling stock prices.
A little better information shouldn’t be enough for Joe Regan. Given his nature, it is difficult to imagine that the Swedes would put a strict editor at their side as a watchdog for their podcast star. The Spotify controversy, it continues to ignite…