Joe Rogan says he'll 'balance things out' on his show amid backlash to COVID-19 misinformation
Joe Rogan is promising to "balance things out" on his podcast as artists remove their music from Spotify in response to COVID-19 misinformation on the show.
Rogan in an Instagram video addressed the controversy after Neil Young and Joni Mitchell moved to pull their music from Spotify due to misinformation spread on podcasts like The Joe Rogan Experience. The comedian and podcast host objected to "the term misinformation" and defended interviewing guests who "have an opinion that's different from the mainstream narrative," including a doctor who was banned from Twitter for COVID-19 misinformation.
But Rogan also said he can "do better" in the future by interviewing "more experts with differing opinions right after I have the controversial ones" on the show, something he said would help "balance things out," and he promised to "make sure that I've researched these topics" before discussing them.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"I don't want to just show the contrary opinion to what the narrative is," Rogan said. "I want to show all kinds of opinions so that we can all figure out what's going on."
Rogan, while acknowledging the "strange responsibility" he has as host of Spotify's most popular podcast, said he's "not trying to promote misinformation" and that "if I pissed you off, I'm sorry." He also apologized to Spotify over the uproar, saying he's "very sorry that this is happening to them and that they're taking so much heat from it."
Rogan's response came after Spotify announced it would add content advisory labels to podcasts that discuss COVID-19, directing viewers to facts on the subject. "To our knowledge, this content advisory is the first of its kind by a major podcast platform," Spotify said. Rogan says he supports this "very important" move by Spotify.
"Sure, have that on there," Rogan said. "I'm very happy with that."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
The Week contest: Airport goodbyes
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'We shouldn't be surprised that crypto is back'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
How the national debt affects your finances
Rachel Reeves has changed the rules, but why does that matter?
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
A not-so-quiet place: Why is no one using headphones in public anymore?
Under the Radar People are increasingly comfortable with both speakerphone and watching videos (very) out loud
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Gas masks and loo rolls: why 'preppers' are on the rise
Under The Radar Doomsday community has expanded from 'Rambo wannabes' to 'Tesco regulars'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published