At the same time, the N-word is one of many words created as a way of demeaning Black people. In regards to Rogan’s previous use of the N-word, I understand he was not intending to be offensive in the context of those clips. Providing a platform to those who do so means Spotify is equally culpable. It is irresponsible to spread information that is contrary to the facts.
Getting yourself vaccinated helps stop the spread of the virus. COVID-19 poses a threat to everyone, regardless of their age. In addition to this, Rogan has stated he doesn’t believe it is necessary for young people to get vaccinated, despite the CDC recommending that everyone five and older receive the vaccine. According to the FDA, ivermectin has not been authorized for COVID treatment in humans or animals.
Rogan himself is also responsible for spreading false info, such as promoting ivermectin, a drug used to combat internal and external parasites in animals and humans, as a suitable treatment for COVID-19. Malone, who was previously banned from Twitter for violating its COVID information guidelines, is given another platform to spread false information by appearing on Rogan’s program.ĭue to the size of the podcast’s popularity, it opens the door for misinformation to be treated as fact. Peter McCullough and Robert Malone use this platform as a way of furthering information that is contrary to the facts. One aspect of “The Joe Rogan Experience” that people enjoy is that it gives an open platform to discuss an array of subjects. There are problems with certain guests, along with Rogan himself, spreading harmful misinformation about COVID related matters and the use of the N-word. I would say the criticism towards Rogan is warranted. There have been several back-and-forth discussions about “canceling” Joe Rogan and whether the pushback by other Spotify artists is justified. In response to this, Rogan has recently posted a video apologizing for his past actions. Seventy episodes of “The Joe Rogan Experience” have been removed by Spotify due to these controversies. All of this has led to artists such as Neil Young, India Arie and Joni Mitchell to take steps towards leaving Spotify in protest to the spread of misinformation and bigotry. Now, Rogan is embroiled in yet another embarrassing situation stemming from his use of the N-word and other (at best) racially insensitive commentary on previous podcasts.Ī compilation of clips showing Rogan using the slur on previous podcasts, along with a clip of him joking about a screening of the “Planet of the Apes,” in which he seemed to equate people of African descent to apes, has caused an uproar for Spotify, the streaming service which broadcasts his content. One of the primary controversies that has been in the news here lately deals with Rogan’s espousing of misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines, ranging from discouraging young people from getting the vaccine, promoting the use of ivermectin as a suitable treatment for COVID, as well as platforming individuals who spread misinformation. In its ten-year-plus tenure, “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast has been the center of multiple controversies.
Screenshot from "Joe Rogan Experience #1512"