Joe Rogan apologizes to Spotify amid controversy around his podcast

• Joe Rogan’s podcast has been accused of spreading Covid misinformation

• Musicians Neil Young and Joni Mitchell boycotted Spotify for carrying Rogan’s podcast

Podcaster Joe Rogan apologized to Spotify (NYSE: SPOT) amid controversy around his podcast on the platform.

Musicians Neil Young and Joni Mitchell boycotted Spotify recently for carrying Rogan’s podcast even after being accused of spreading Covid misinformation.

Rogan hosts a podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience” on Spotify.

“I want to thank Spotify for being so supportive during this time and I’m very sorry that this is happening to them and that they’re taking so much heat from it,” Rogan said Sunday. 

He also apologized to Young and Mitchell.

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Rogan said in an Instagram video that he is open to changes to the show and will do more research on certain topics.

Rogan also praised Spotify on its decision to add content advisories to materials mentioning Covid-19 and directing users to public health sites for additional information.

“I’m not trying to promote misinformation, I’m not trying to be controversial,” Rogan added. “I’ve never tried to do anything with this podcast other than to just talk to people.”

“I do all the scheduling myself, and I don’t always get it right,” he added.

Medical professionals’ outrage

Many medical professionals have criticised Rogan for spreading conspiracy theories about Covid-19. Rogan had once said in his podcast that young adults don’t need to get a shot.

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“If you’re a healthy person, and you’re exercising all the time, and you’re young, and you’re eating well ... like, I don’t think you need to worry about this,” he said in an April episode of his podcast. But, Rogan added his “not a doctor” or a “respected source of information.”

More than 250 medical professionals wrote an open letter earlier this month to Spotify asking it to take action against Rogan.

In April, Dr. Anthony Fauci, an infectious disease expert, addressing Rogan said that young people “absolutely” need to get vaccinated.

Rogan had also promoted the use of ivermectin to treat Covid-19, even though there is no proof of its effectiveness.

Picture Credits: NBCUniversal