Hate Crime Laws Causing Global Humiliation for Scotland
World’s Most Popular Podcaster Condemns SNP Legislation
The SNP has been warned that its hate crime crackdown is causing global humiliation for Scotland, after the world’s most popular podcaster ridiculed the laws to millions of people across the globe.
Joe Rogan’s Scathing Critique
Joe Rogan, host of the podcast The Joe Rogan Experience, opened his latest show by lambasting the “ridiculous” laws and claiming the Government had “lost their f—ing minds”.
He echoed fears that the legislation, which comes into force next month, will have a chilling effect on freedom of speech and could impact performances at the Edinburgh Fringe, the world’s biggest comedy festival. US-based Rogan’s comments were viewed more than 1.7 million times on YouTube in a single day. His podcast has 14.5 million subscribers on Spotify, the streaming platform, nearly three times more than the second most popular.
High-Profile Critics
He is the latest high-profile figure to draw attention to the laws, which allow for jail sentences of up to seven years to be imposed on those convicted of “stirring up hatred” against protected groups such as trangender people, cross-dressers or the disabled.
Rogan’s Criticism of Police Statement
Rogan read a report of a Police Scotland statement in which the force claimed that performers, such as actors and comedians, would not be specifically “targeted” when the new law comes into force.
No Guarantee for Comedians
“Have you seen that wild s–t in Scotland where they’re targeting comedians for hate crime laws,” Rogan, a former stand-up, said. “Police Scotland say,
“we won’t target comedians under new hate crime law. That’s what you say now, but stand-up shows still come under its scope.”
Rogan said that while police had denied that comedy venues or theatres would be specifically targeted by officers, it would still be possible for performers to be prosecuted under the law.
Government “Out of Their Minds”
He added: “This is so ridiculous. What’s been explained to me by my friends in the UK… this government is on the way out and they’re out of their f—ing minds. These f—ing kooks have decided they’re going to target people and put them in jail.”
Rogan, who last month signed a new deal with Spotify reported to be worth as much as $250 million, follows other world-famous people, such as Elon Musk and JK Rowling, in criticising Scotland’s hate crime law.
Calls for Government to Listen
Russell Findlay, the justice spokesman for the Scottish Tories, said: “Humza Yousaf’s hate crime law has long been subject to widespread opposition across Scotland, led by the Scottish Conservatives and women’s rights campaigners. Perhaps now that the risk it poses to free speech is subject to growing international criticism, his arrogant SNP government will finally start to listen.”