“Joe Rogan: rise of a highly controversial cultural power”

Robert Thompson, Trustee Professor of television, radio, and film in the Newhouse School and director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture, was interviewed by The Guardian for the story “Joe Rogan: rise of a highly controversial cultural power.” Thompson, an expert on pop culture, says that while Rogan may be controversial he is doing his job as a podcaster.

“The job description is practically to say the kinds of things that will almost, but not quite, get you fired. Eventually you cross the line because the line is not very well-defined,” Thompson said. “However noble Young’s intentions are, Rogan is contained by a subscription wall. Spotify has distribution rights but Rogan owns his show. Fire him and he could potentially have even greater distribution than he’s got now.”