In an unexpected turn of events, ABC chair Kim Williams has ignited a heated exchange with Joe Rogan, the renowned host of The Joe Rogan Experience, during his recent National Press Club address. Williams, who has a background in classical music and the arts, responded to a question regarding Rogan’s influence on the US election and the ABC’s potential to engage the ‘bro market’ that Rogan has tapped into. His comments, however, were far from complimentary as he accused Rogan of exploiting societal fears and anxieties for entertainment. ‘I think that people like Mr Rogan prey on people’s vulnerabilities,’ Williams stated, expressing his disbelief at Rogan’s significant influence in the media landscape. This led to a swift backlash, with Rogan sharing Williams’ remarks on social media, prompting a response from Elon Musk, who criticized government-funded media. Williams defended his stance, stating he had been inundated with criticism since his comments, describing the backlash as ‘vicious’ and expressing his confusion over the reaction. Despite his lack of interest in Rogan’s work, Williams acknowledged Rogan’s massive following, citing reports of his 14.5 million Spotify listeners and 18.6 million YouTube subscribers. The incident has sparked widespread debate over the responsibilities of media personalities and the impact of their platforms on public discourse.
