‘Emblematic of what’s wrong with the ABC’: Kim Williams slammed for ‘deeply repulsive’ Joe Rogan comments
Joe Rogan
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.
“It displayed to me a sort of, wilful ignorance. Here’s this guy, the world’s most popular podcaster, Joe Rogan… you’re just putting him in this spot of being, repellent, of preying on audiences and that just struck me as just a total misread of what Rogan is about firstly, but secondly, a lack of curiosity and interest into why he’s so popular,” Swan said.
Joe Rogan
“And that then struck me as being emblematic of what’s wrong with the ABC and what has been for a long time in my own view. Which is that it’s just not engaging young people and Rogan is. And if you’re not going to even be curious about that or try learn from that, then I think you’re not going to have a lot of success.”
While Swan conceded in the article and podcast that he is not personally a fan of Rogan, he said that Williams airing those comments even after admitting he has not listened to a single episode of The Joe Rogan Show, shows the big problem.
“I think for someone in his position and what he’s trying to do with the ABC, have a curiosity about why Rogan is so successful and learn from that,” Swan continued.
Kim Williams’ address last week
“Williams, what are you trying to do with the ABC? Learn from what makes Rogan successful. Don’t copy that directly, but maybe just learn from it and we’ll be better off as a result.”
It comes as the ABC has announced a wave of change for 2025, including Zan Rowe – who confirmed her music news segment on ABC News Breakfast will not return in 2025, Robbie Buck – who will step away from his show at the end of the year – Sarah Macdonald, and Simon Marnie.
The departures in particular have been met with a divisive reaction by listeners.
Mumbrella publisher, Adam Lang, said the response by fans of the presenters is not a surprise.
“It’s like a friendship and they often have reacted badly,” Lang said.
“And so we’ve seen lots of comments on the Mumbrella website under the ABC articles. It’s one of the most engaging things that we’re seeing – ‘Hang on, that’s my friend you’re talking about’, you know? it’s almost like a personal friendship and that they’re leaving… it’s an emotional attachment in a way.
“Obviously they’re very good at their craft and they’ve earned that place. Now they’re going to change. I’m really keen to see what happens, and what’s next.
Listen to the full podcast here.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.