Joe Rogan
The controversial podcaster praises improvement
Comedian and podcaster Joe Rogan.
© imago images/MediaPunch
Musicians like Neil Young are leaving Spotify because of him: Now the controversial podcaster Joe Rogan is speaking for the first time.
Prominent musicians like Neil Young (76) or Joni Mitchell (78) have withdrawn their music from Spotify – in protest against controversial Corona podcasts by Joe Rogan (54). Now the podcaster is speaking for the first time.
In a ten minute video, which he posted on Instagram, the comedian and martial arts moderator explains, among other things, that he let controversial scientists have their say because they “deviate from conventional wisdom. I wanted to hear what they think”.
Rogan admits his guests spread misinformation in the controversial episodes. But he also explains that he has problems with the term “misinformation”. “Many things that until recently we thought were just ideas are now facts.” As an example, he cited the effectiveness of masks and vaccinations, which have never really been controversial in science.
Rogan wants to reconsider the invitation policy
The successful podcaster praises improvement. In the future, he wants to be careful to invite experts who have the opposite opinion directly after guests who have a controversial point of view. “I’d definitely be open to doing that. And I’d like to talk to some people who have different opinions on the podcasts in the future.”
Neil Young draws conclusions
A few days ago, Neil Young was the first to find clear words against Spotify. The rock legend threatened to withdraw his songs and albums if the music streaming service didn’t delete Rogan’s podcast. This was preceded by an open letter from doctors and scientists who criticized Rogan’s interviews with the controversial virologists and vaccine skeptics Robert Malone (63) and Peter McCullough (59). The moderator is said to have spread misinformation himself, for example promoting treatment with the deworming agent Ivermectin.
Large parts of Neil Young’s music have now disappeared from the streaming platform. Young’s Canadian compatriot Joni Mitchell also joined the protest. Prince Harry (37) and Duchess Meghan (40) also expressed their concern. The pair have a lucrative podcast deal with Spotify.