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Reports that “270 doctors” demanded Spotify censor podcaster Joe Rogan, calling him a “menace to public health,” were not all they seemed to be.
In fact, after some scrutiny, it seems some reports that the letter was signed by a large group of doctors are “simply not accurate,” and included pharmacists, nurses, and veterinarians. While last week’s open letter to the streaming company Spotify was portrayed as being written by health or medical professionals, and many outlets, such as The Hill, noted that a “coalition of doctors and science educators” had signed the letter, it was the letter itself that raised some eyebrows.
The 270 signatories to a letter include multiple nurses, pharmacists, and even includes a veterinarian.
Saying “270 doctors” is simply not accurate. https://t.co/LoDhw2FAxV https://t.co/vb8X7M6O07 pic.twitter.com/midAhyfVP7
— Alex VanNess (@thealexvanness) January 16, 2022
Investigative journalist Jordan Schachtel noted that “the authors of the letter and the vast majority of its signatories are not medical doctors,” writing that “the letter itself is misinformation” because “neither reported co-author of the letter is a physician.”
Letter reads in part: “As physicians, we bear the arduous weight of a pandemic that has stretched our medical systems to its limits,” & it calls for Spotify to censor Rogan.
Neither reported co author of the letter is a physician. So… the letter itself is misinformation.
— Jordan Schachtel @ dossier.substack.com (@JordanSchachtel) January 16, 2022
“Paradoxically, the disseminators of this petition are guilty of the very misinformation label that they’ve attached to Rogan. The two reported co-authors — Jessica Rivera and Ben Rein — don’t possess MDs. Rivera holds a master’s degree & Rein is a PhD who researches psychiatry,” Schachtel wrote, noting that three vets had signed on to the letter.
He also noted that they had “ghost edited” the removal of “a cannabis farmer with a HS diploma” from the list.
Update: Cole Kraten, a cannabis farmer with a HS diploma, was on the original “medical experts” list. It seems they have ghost edited his removal from the list.
— Jordan Schachtel @ dossier.substack.com (@JordanSchachtel) January 16, 2022
The letter to Spotify had called out Rogan’s popular podcast show for a “concerning history of broadcasting misinformation, particularly regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.”
“As physicians, we bear the arduous weight of a pandemic that has stretched our medical systems to their limits and only stands to be exacerbated by the anti-vaccination sentiment woven into this and other episodes of Rogan’s podcast,” the so-called medical experts had written.
Schachtel shared another Twitter user’s “breakdown of the ridiculousness.”
The @EthicalSkeptic has a breakdown of the ridiculousness of this whole thing https://t.co/H90qnJjxBk
— Jordan Schachtel @ dossier.substack.com (@JordanSchachtel) January 17, 2022
Schachtel’s highlighting of the “misinformation” sparked widespread reaction on Twitter.
These “doctors”? pic.twitter.com/RuHjaFzM4g
— Cloak & Gown Trolling Inc. LLC. (@stauffelbaker) January 16, 2022
10,000 doctors warned of the negative effects of extended covid lockdowns on children and THAT was completely overlooked.
Now a relatively small number of barely post-grad “doctors” have opinions on Joe Rogan show?
This should matter…why?!*His 11m viewers have already spoken!
— Kennedy Simonetti (@visualsoldier) January 17, 2022
So if 270 health experts tell Spotify Joe Rogan is pushing misinfo we ought to take note. But if 61,000+ health experts sign the Great Barrington Declaration, stating grave concerns about current Covid policies it isn’t even a blip on the MSM radar. 🤔 Hmm. Yes. Interesting. pic.twitter.com/tNFNOdnD1p
— Five Times August (@FiveTimesAugust) January 15, 2022
270? One local hospital, Tampa General, has over 1,600 medical professionals on staff. One hospital.
Getting 270 losers to sign a letter means nothing.
— Debora 🌺 🍊 (@mom2zwr) January 15, 2022
Scary times when it’s easier to call for censorship rather than address what you believe to be incorrect.
— politicians are the pandemic (@BraveDCT) January 16, 2022
Also, if 50 million people tell @Spotify to let @joerogan do his thing, who will they listen to?
— Loko Dev 🇺🇸🇨🇩🇲🇬🇰🇪 (@loko_dev) January 15, 2022
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