CNN’s Brian Stelter complained about his ratings plummeting. Joe Rogan responded in a way only Joe Rogan could.
Summary
CNN’s media correspondent Brian Stelter recently took to his show to lament his show’s audience size compared to some of the top podcasters and YouTubers.
- Joe Rogan, possibly the biggest name in podcasting, shot back at Stelter, noting the ratings for Stelter’s show, Reliable Sources on CNN, are dropping quickly since January of this year.
- Stelter’s show is “f*cking terrible” according to Rogan, and the “market has spoken” because of how “unreal” Stelter’s show is.
- Rogan went on to question Stelter’s ability and credibility as a journalist, referencing a fawning interview with White House press secretary Jen Psaki in which Stelter flagellated himself and groveled by asking “what does the press get wrong when covering Biden’s agenda?”.
- While covering the brouhaha between Rogan and Stelter, The Independent snuck in a controversial remark Rogan made earlier this year saying soon “straight white men” wouldn’t be “allowed to talk.”
- Newsweek’s coverage of the spat provided deeper context of Rogan’s remarks, highlighting Rogan’s criticism of cable news in general and saying “maybe [Stelter] would be an interesting guy if he had his own…podcast”.
- Huffington Post completely ignored Rogan’s slamming of Stelter but focused on the podcast host’s criticism of former President Donald Trump.
- Right leaning outlets thoroughly enjoyed Rogan’s smackdown, reporting Rogan’s comments nearly verbatim, including his criticism stating “They were describing [the loss in viewership] as if they’re entitled to viewers.”
- RedState’s coverage applauded Rogan for having “took Stelter apart” on the issue of ratings and authenticity.
- Fox News, like the Washington Examiner, provided nearly the entire exchange between Rogan and his guest, progressive commentator Kyle Kulinski, while noting CNN’s Don Lemon also drew Rogan’s ire.
Author’s Take
If CNN were honest with the American audience, and transparent about its agenda the way Fox News and MSNBC are, their self-righteousness would not be so obnoxious and insufferable. But Stelter, Chris Cuomo, Don Lemon and others proselytize for progressive politics while pretending to be non-partisan, unbiased arbiters of facts. That simply is not the case. Joe Rogan did the right thing in raking the democrat apologist Stelter over the coals.
Most Americans are mature enough to understand there will be bias in reporting, and their viewing activity will follow their politics. CNN’s denial of any bias and taking themselves too seriously as unbiased is costing them viewers. Rogan’s contention that they’re not authentic is correct.
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© Dallas Gerber, 2021
