As centralized media wanes in popularity, decentralized sites are taking center stage by advocating for free speech while redefining public debate at the same time. This trend was emphasized most recently when Joe Rogan’s interview of former President Donald Trump reportedly went “missing” on YouTube. Many s, including prominent voices, reported difficulty finding the episode, despite using various search . In turn, Rogan made a historic move by releasing the entire interview on X, which was a turning point for decentralized media as a counter to the mainstream platforms.
The YouTube “Glitch” and Rogan’s Response
The controversy started with s, one of them David Heinemeier Hansson, the inventor of Ruby on Rails, trying to locate the Rogan-Trump interview on YouTube. Even after a series of tries using different keywords, the show did not in search. This made many believe that the episode was deliberately being suppressed. To establish this, Hansson tweeted a video recording of the failure of searches to find the video.
Tried to find the Rogan/Trump interview on YouTube but no matter what I search, it’s not coming up. Would be beyond bonkers if they’re actively trying to suppress it. Must be a glitch, right? pic.twitter.com/BvpYzZTXWY
— DHH (@dhh) October 28, 2024
The other s soon followed, posting their own similar experiences and questioning censorship. Rogan responded by releasing the entire interview on X so that his listeners could read it without issue.
Rogan’s action of bying YouTube for a decentralized platform like X indicates the growing influence of alternative media platforms. It shows how decentralized platforms provide creators with the means to distribute content directly to people, free from mainstream gatekeepers who can censor or filter content.
Robert Sterling on the Shift in Media Power Dynamics
Financial commentator and analyst Robert Sterling had something to say about the situation, commenting on the unusual power balance involved. In a viral tweet, he pointed out how Rogan, an ex-UFC commentator, was able to call the shots in an interview with the incumbent vice president — a situation almost unimaginable in the time when traditional media held sway.
Joe Rogan won’t have Kamala Harris on his show unless she comes to his studio and sits for a 2-3 hour full interview (like Trump did).
We’ve entered the era in which podcast hosts have more power than a sitting vice president. Thanks to a free and uncensored internet, the… pic.twitter.com/xsSgQwGEbN
— Robert Sterling (@RobertMSterling) October 29, 2024
Sterling’s post best describes the rise of decentralized media: independent producers now have the power equal to, and in some instances greater than, that of mainstream media. Politicians and public figures are finding it more and more necessary to go on decentralized media like Rogan’s show, where they can speak to large, interested constituencies without going through mainstream media.
Decentralized Media as a Champion of Free Speech
The Rogan-Trump incident serves to illustrate the importance of decentralized media in ensuring free speech. Podcasts and social media provide creators with the ability to engage audiences without needing to go through traditional gatekeepers, thus a greater diversity of voices and opinions can be heard. As audiences abandon mainstream media for these platforms, decentralized media is transforming the way information is disseminated and consumed.
This past episode involving Joe Rogan’s podcast with Donald Trump highlights a turning point in media.
