A year has passed since Joe Rogan received massive backlash from Spotify artists surrounding COVID-19 misinformation on his popular podcast.
But after Spotify's lack of moderation on Rogan's misinformation after a podcast episode with guest Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., not only the host of the "Joe Rogan Experience" show was facing a backlash, but also the streaming platform.
Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine and professor of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology & Microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine, is among those who are criticizing Rogan and Spotify.
During the episode, Rogan and Kennedy discussed different pandemic-related issues, including conspiracy theories about vaccines and ivermectin. But despite the backlash against Rogan, many netizens still support him, including tech billionaire Elon Musk who urged Hotez to accept an invite made by Rogan for a debate with anti-vaxxer Kennedy.
Joe Rogan Remains Unmoderated on Spotify Podcast, Claims Peter Hotez
A tweet from the vaccine expert Dr. Peter Hotez has sparked one of the most trending topics on the internet today. Hotez posted a Motherboard article titled, "Spotify has stopped even sort of trying to stem Joe Rogan's vaccine misinformation."
Spotify Has Stopped Even Sort of Trying to Stem Joe Rogan’s Vaccine Misinformation. It’s really true @annamerlan just awful. And from all the online attacks I’m receiving after this absurd podcast, it’s clear many actually believe this nonsense https://t.co/GwIFsOODC2
— Prof Peter Hotez MD PhD (@PeterHotez) June 17, 2023
Hotez then said he is getting harassed and receiving online attacks, likely from followers, believers, and fans of Rogan. After seeing his tweets, Rogan challenged him to debate Kennedy and even proposed a $100,000 donation to a charity of Hotez's choosing if he agreed.
Again, I’m going to ask you very clearly, are you willing to debate @RobertKennedyJr on my podcast? https://t.co/vFkzW9CCBq
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) June 18, 2023
This issue gained massive traction as Elon Musk, and others have urged Hotez to accept the debate. Musk even accused the vaccine expert of "hating charity" by not accepting the invite.
After hours of Musk and Rogan taunting Hotez, the doctor tweeted, "I was just was stalked in front of my home by a couple of antivaxers taunting me to debate RFKJr."
Spotify Remains Not Touching COVID-19 Misinformation, 'Anti-Vaxxer' Content
The Verge reported that Motherboard quoted a Spotify spokesperson who said that Joe Rogan and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. never said anything about the vaccine killing people. Thus, the episode was not in violation of the platform's rules.
Rogan's podcast continues to feature more about COVID-19 misinformation, which Spotify reportedly allows to stream on the platform without any moderation.
Spotify and the Joe Rogan Scrutiny
Since 2021, Joe Rogan has a track record of airing false claims about the COVID-19 pandemic, unproven treatments, and vaccines. He relentlessly commented about not needing any vaccines for COVID-19.
In the podcaster's words, he talked about how healthy people should not be subjected to or urged to take the COVID vaccine, particularly those in the 21-year-old range. Rogan insisted that if individuals are healthy, they should continue to care for themselves.
There was also a significant issue in 2022 when music artist Neil Young left Spotify after issuing an ultimatum to the company, boycotting the platform should Rogan continue his podcast. It was reported that Spotify chose Rogan over Young, having done nothing regarding his show and even saying he does not violate any rules.
