‘Emblematic of what’s wrong with the ABC’: Kim Williams slammed for ‘deeply repulsive’ Joe Rogan comments
The ABC chair has been slammed for recent comments made about commentators like Joe Rogan as the national broadcaster undergoes a wave of changes.
During his first Melbourne Press Club address last week, Kim Williams took aim at the comedian and podcaster, saying commentators such as Rogan “prey on fear”.
“I personally find it deeply repulsive to think that someone has such remarkable power,” Williams said.
On a new episode of the Mumbrellacast, The Age technology writer, David Swan, joined the podcast to discuss an article he wrote last week, sharing why he believed Williams missed a “golden opportunity” to connect with younger ABC audiences.
Williams’ basket of deplorable moment. Swan is correct; rather than attack with prejudice a person who gets lumped in with Andrew Tate but who in fact has enough complexity of character that he wanted Bernie for president in 2016, the MSM including ABC should examine Joe Rogan more closely to get some understanding as to why their legacy dominance is evaporating.
If an ABC employee made those comments on an equally public platform they would be (and historically have been) terminated for bringing the ABC into disrepute. Goose/gander rules happening here.
Conflate this with the incredibly misguided comments that have also alienated employees who very likely DO listen to Rogan and he has put himself in the position where his best option is to resign his position on the board.
Sometimes silence is the best answer.
I agree with Kim Williams.
Williams is right.
Yeah I’m with Williams on this one.
Actually… every comment he made was spot on.
Williams is right.
Rogan is a grub.
Williams doesn’t mind giving us his opinion on a subject he doesn’t know anything about. Rude comment about someone he hadn’t bothered listening to. Doubt if he would approve of ABC employees
speaking like that.
Tell us WHY two of the most popular people at the ABC have been fired (contracts not renewed). This guy hasn’t a clue, at least he won’t be around long.Not a care in his body
just filled with arrogance.
I like that the ABC News department is being asked to focus more on hard news and less on lifestyle and PR.
However, there are many other ABC departments – music, arts, documentary, etc – that need to keep doing what they do, which is represent all Australians of all ages and create a voice for the many wonderful Australian musicians, artists and creators that are largely ignored by commercial media networks.
Appears to be a lot of ABC comments that are stuck under the boot of Williams.
Firstly, was Williams incorrect in what he said. If so then argue the case.
Furthermore, being popular dosnt make you someone worth listening too or following.
So many rock stars and politicians are cases in point.
It’s not surprising Williams thinks like this.
He can’t just change his thinking and principles because Joe Rogan or Donald Trump are popular.
Thats also not the role of media that respects more than anything else…….the truth.
“Actually… every comment he made was spot on.”
Agreed, David Swan is bang on with this one.
Aprox $4,000,000 each day to run,duh
Williams is doing well. The ABC’s on-air talent is an extremely narrow demographic that represents why progressive politics is in chaos at the moment: all about identity and not about class or redistribution.
The ABC has got very dumb… no knowledge of economics, industry, history, geopolitics, and many of those ‘popular personalities’ are just dopes. Few have done any real hard graft as journalists, they’re just appointed and we’re told how intelligent they are, despite evidence.
Rogan is popular in part because of a lack of competition. He just believes the last thing he was told, and celebrities have constantly indulged him. The Spotify deal ‘made’ him and that was luck and timing.
I hope Williams continues and the ABC can get back to hard interviews and platforming the real issues currently only heard on YouTube channels like Michael West, Swollen Pickles and Kangaroo Court.