The continuing Joe Rogan/Spotify controversy has taken yet one more flip — this time within the type of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson siding with the podcast host.
Followers of the previous wrestler have been divided after Johnson shared some phrases of encouragement on a video that Rogan had posted in response to the fallout.
Within the video, Rogan stated he would “perhaps strive tougher to get folks with differing opinions,” after a number of musicians, together with Joni Mitchell and Neil Younger, pulled their music from the streaming service, citing what Younger known as Rogan’s vaccine “disinformation.”
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In response to the video, Johnson wrote: “Nice stuff right here, brother. Completely articulated.”
He added that he appears ahead to “approaching at some point and breaking out the tequila with you.”
Followers of Dwayne Johnson are divided over his assist for Joe Rogan.
Screengrab / Instagram
“So upset in you, however not less than we see your true colors now,” one fan wrote beneath Johnson’s remark.
“Wow disappointing. Possibly it’s best to go and discuss to a number of the frontline well being employees as a substitute of listening to this nonsense,” shared one other.
Others praised Johnson.
“Please make this podcast occur!!” wrote one fan beneath Johnson’s remark.
One other stated: “Good to see the rock (sic) assist one other good human being on this combat for freedom and knowledge.”
Rogan has not been shy about sharing his opinions on COVID-19, touting ivermectin and exploring anti-vaccine theories on his podcast, The Joe Rogan Expertise.
The 54-year-old contracted COVID-19 in September 2021, and needed to cancel his April present in Vancouver as a result of he’s not vaccinated and might’t get previous the province’s proof-of-vaccination legal guidelines for indoor occasions.
Younger penned an open letter final week, requesting that his music be faraway from Spotify for so long as The Joe Rogan Expertise is on the streaming service.
Younger, 76, posted the letter (since deleted) to his private website, saying that he doesn’t need to function his music on the platform alongside Rogan’s podcast, which, in line with the musician, spreads “disinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines.”
“I’m doing this as a result of Spotify is spreading faux details about vaccines — doubtlessly inflicting loss of life to those that consider the disinformation being unfold by them,” he wrote. “Please act on this instantly right now and hold me knowledgeable of the time schedule.”
Final weekend, Mitchell introduced she’s going to take away all of her music from Spotify in solidarity with Younger, and Britain’s Prince Harry and his spouse, Meghan, who’ve signed a multi-year deal to provide and host podcasts for Spotify beneath their manufacturing firm Archewell Audio, additionally urged Spotify to tame virus misinformation.
Earlier, a whole bunch of scientists, professors and public well being specialists requested Spotify to take away a Dec. 31, 2021 episode wherein Rogan featured Dr. Robert Malone, an infectious-disease specialist who has been banned from Twitter for spreading COVID-19 misinformation.
In a put up Sunday, Spotify chief govt Daniel Ek laid out extra clear platform guidelines given the backlash stirred by Younger.
“Personally, there are many people and views on Spotify that I disagree with strongly,” wrote Ek. “You will need to me that we don’t tackle the place of being content material censor whereas additionally ensuring that there are guidelines in place and penalties for many who violate them.”
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Ek stated the advisories will hyperlink to Spotify’s fact-based COVID-19 hub in what he described as a “new effort to fight misinformation.” It’ll roll out within the coming days, Ek stated. He didn’t particularly reference Rogan or Younger.
In his video, Rogan stated he welcomes the concept of content material advisories earlier than podcasts that debate COVID-19.
“Positive, have that on there. I’m very pleased with that,” he stated.
— With information from World Information’ Chris Jancelewicz and The Canadian Press
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