Douglas Murray to Joe Rogan: You’re Platforming RADICALS Who Mislead

By Selwyn Duke

Is one man’s radical another man’s reasoned voice? You might suppose that could be the thinking in this relativistic age. But this certainly wasn’t the perspective of British journalist Douglas Murray while appearing on Joe Rogan’s podcast last Thursday.

In fact, Murray called Rogan out on the show, saying he was platforming fringe voices peddling anti-historical views.

In particular, the journalist took issue with past guests who vilified Winston Churchill, took a dim view of Ukraine’s and Israel’s causes, and allegedly minimized Adolf Hitler’s villainy. The conversation touched, too, upon the deeper topics of free-speech rights vs. responsibilities and who constitutes an “expert.”

Men’s Journal reports on the story, writing that

Murray questioned Rogan’s tendency to platform figures who “just ask questions” but may actually be spreading misinformation or speculation under the guise of curiosity. He pointed to several examples of guests who discuss complex historical and geopolitical issues while admitting they lack formal expertise.

“There’s a point at which ‘I’m just raising questions’ isn’t valid anymore,” Murray said. “You’re not asking questions — you’re telling people something.”

Rogan defended his choices, stating that his guest selection is more about personal interest than ideological alignment. “I don’t think about it that way,” Rogan said. “I just think, I’d like to talk to that person.”

Murray pressed further, arguing that influential platforms like Rogan’s carry a responsibility to elevate informed perspectives.

Murray’s criticism followed that of philosopher and author Sam Harris. He made waves recently by saying that while Rogan is a “good guy,” he’s “over his head” on “many topics of great consequence” and must “get his facts straight.”

Facts or Fiction?

Rogan’s show, The Joe Rogan Experience, certainly has influence. It not only boasts approximately 11 million listeners per episode, but is downloaded in more than 190 countries. And taking issue with some of that influence, Murray cited Rogan’s March interviews with Ian Carroll and Darryl Cooper. Carroll is a YouTuber accused of peddling anti-Jewish conspiracy theories. Cooper is a podcaster who has allegedly minimized Nazi atrocities. He also called WWII-era British prime minister Winston Churchill “the chief villain of the Second World War.”

Additionally, Murray addressed a Rogan guest line-up overrepresented by individuals critical of Ukraine’s and Israel’s war efforts. After some back and forth, Rogan did essentially cede the point, too. “Yeah,” he responded, “probably, more tilted towards the idea that perhaps the way they’ve [Israel has] done it is barbaric.”

Failure to Communicate?

Really, though, watching the exchange, it appeared the trio of men — the episode also included frequent Rogan guest and comedian Dave Smith — were talking past each other. For starters, perhaps implicit in the discussion was that Rogan had an ethical obligation to provide “equal time.” But is this true?

It all brings to mind late conservative radio giant Rush Limbaugh’s reaction to criticism of his “one-sided” presentations. As Limbaugh put it, “I don’t need equal time — I am equal time!”

His obvious point was that the critics had it backwards (not always accidentally). The establishment narrative was virtually everywhere, notably in the mainstream media, which wielded great power at the time. Limbaugh was one of the few voices counterbalancing it. And did the establishment media itself ever feel compelled to provide true “equal time”?

Likewise, the conventional narrative is readily available today — on the alphabet networks and numerous left-wing podcasts.

Knowledge and Experts

In fairness, though, Murray’s real argument is that since “knowledge is power,” we have an obligation to use information responsibly. Addressing this, Dave Smith seemed to be mounting the “Everyone has a right to his opinion” defense. And, true, everyone does. Yet as G.K. Chesterton reminded us, “To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it.”

So Murray had a point there. We all do have a duty to use our words wisely and speak Truth. Yet there’s the rub:

How do you determine Truth?

Apropos to this was Murray’s mentioning of some former Rogan guests’ lack of expertise; he used the term “expert” frequently. To this Smith exclaimed, “What’s all the appeal to authority stuff?! I mean, what, you have to be an ‘expert’?!”

This may seem anti-intellectual to some, but Smith also had a point. As to this, note that all our Supreme Court justices are considered juridical experts. Yet they nonetheless end up divided on many issues as close to 50-50 as possible (5-4).

In those instances, which “experts” are right?

This is the norm, too: On every contentious issue there are experts on both, or all, sides. So will the real “experts” please stand up?

That way, we can just check our brains at the door and let authority tell us what is Truth.

Alas, though, life isn’t that simple. And none of this, mind you, is to impugn bona fide expertise. It’s only to say that it isn’t always apparent who possesses it.

Cringe at the Fringe?

Along with the “appeal to authority,” we must also be wary of appeal to popularity. As to this, should “fringe” characters, whom Rogan is accused of platforming, be dismissed out of hand?

Remember that all being a “radical” means is that your views deviate greatly from the mainstream. Thus was Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis condemned as a radical in the 1840s for insisting doctors practice good hygiene. Germ theory was extremist back then, you see.

In other words, man’s radicalism is sometimes God’s moderation. And an extremist may just be someone who is right 50 years too soon — or 50 years too late.

So the answer is that there is no simple answer; ferreting out Truth requires discernment. This is only achieved by cultivating an honest heart and mind, a virtuous foundation that rejects even emotionally pleasing lies.

And, sure, sometimes Truth is found at society’s center. But other times it is at the fringes. Wherever it is, though, only an honest seeker will ever share its address.

For those interested, the Rogan episode in question is below. 

                   This article was originally published at The New American.