Joe Rogan news: Host ‘apologises’ but defends podcast as Spotify stock plummets in Neil Young boycott
Both Joe Rogan and Spotify announced content changes in light of criticism over misinformation
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Joe Rogan has addressed claims he spread Covid-19 misinformation on his podcast amid ongoing fury over his deal with Spotify.
The host of the hugely popular podcast Joe Rogan Experience addressed backlash against himself and the streaming service in a video shared with his 14.2 million Instagram followers on Sunday night, saying “a lot of people had a distorted perception of what I do”.
It comes after musicians and celebrities including Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle joined hundreds of scientists and medical professionals in asking Spotify to address perceived Covid misinformation on his show, with Young and Mitchell asking to remove their music from the platform in protest.
As its stock value plummeted by $2bn amid the controversy, Spotify announced it would add advisory labels to certain content - without specifically mentioning Mr Rogan.
In his latest video, Mr Rogan said he supported adding the labels and vowed to “try harder” to balance out the opinions expressed on his show.
But he also defended the controversial guests already featured on his show and suggested the term “misinformation” is being used too widely.
VOICES: Rogan’s non-apology apology will remind you of your worst ex-boyfriend
In a 10-minute Instagram video on Sunday night, Mr Rogan talked at length about claims that he is spreading Covid misinformation via his hugely popular podcast on Spotify.
His remarks didn’t sit well with The Independent’s Holly Baxter, who said it “channels the emotionally unavailable ex-boyfriend who you cried over for six months back in 2017” in a new column:
Joe Rogan’s non-apology apology will remind you of your worst ex-boyfriend
He’s just a free spirit, man! He’s just out here having conversations! He doesn’t like labels!
Which celebs have criticised Rogan and Spotify?
The controversy surrounding claims that Spotify is complicit in Joe Rogan’s alleged spread of Covid misinformation has been fuelled by input by several famous faces.
It began with rocker Neil Young, who published a letter on 24 January asking that his music be taken off the streaming platform in response to “fake information about vaccines”.
“I want you to let Spotify know immediately TODAY that I want all my music off their platform,” Mr Young wrote. “They can have Rogan or Young. Not both.”
Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell chimed in days later in a post on her website, which read: “Irresponsible people are spreading lies that are costing people their lives. I stand in solidarity with Neil Young and the global scientific and medical communities on this issue.”
“You’re Beautiful” hitmaker James Blunt sounded off on Saturday with a self-deprecating tweet, writing: “If Spotify doesn’t immediately remove Joe Rogan, I will release new music onto the platform.”
Author and podcaster Brené Brown appeared to join the group the same day, saying that she will not be releasing episodes of her Spotify-exclusive shows “until further notice”.
And Prince Harry and Meghan Markle - who have a deal with Spotify worth a reported $30m (£18m) - called out the company for hosting “disinformation” via Mr Rogan’s podcast in a statement on Sunday, saying they have raised concerns with top brass at the platform.
Howard Stern and Joy Behar back Rogan
In the midst of an onslaught of criticism from several high profile people, Mr Rogan has received support from two prominent fellow commentators - Howard Stern and Joy Behar.
Radio personality Mr Stern - who previously condemned Mr Rogan’s remarks on Covid - issued a defence of the podcaster last week, saying he doesn’t believe Spotify should remove The Joe Rogan Experience.
“I don’t listen to Joe Rogan. I know Joe from 100 years ago,” Mr Stern said on his Sirius XM show. “We’re no longer friendly. We were friendly at one point — I just knew him as the funny guy, as a comedian — I knew him before he was on ‘Fear Factor’ actually. I know that his podcast is very popular, they say… I am for any performer who can get any money and get paid. I’m happy for any young man or woman who can get paid in show business because so many people do not get paid. So those that can, god bless. It ain’t easy. It’s not an easy road. And attracting an audience is not easy.”
Ms Behar agreed with Mr Stern on The View on 26 January. She said that she believes Mr Rogan is “a horror” when it comes to Covid, but that removing him from Spotify is not the answer.
“The way to counter that speech is with more speech,” she said. “The way to counter it is with boycotts.”
Read Rogan’s full statement
Mr Rogan finally responded to the controversy surrounding his podcast and it’s availability on Spotify in a 10-minute video posted to Instagram on Sunday night.
Read his statement in full below:
What did Joe Rogan say in his apology? Read it in full
Joe Rogan posted a video on Instagram explaining his position on the matter
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