Spotify pressured by 270 scientists, medical professionals over Joe Rogan episode

Spotify was called on to establish a misinformation policy by a coalition of 270 scientists and medical professionals, after its Joe Rogan podcast promoted what the coalition says are "baseless conspiracies". — Getty Images/AFP

A coalition of 270 scientists and medical professionals this week issued an open letter to Spotify Technology SA, urging the streaming platform to establish a misinformation policy after an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience, among its most listened-to podcasts, promoted what they said were "baseless conspiracy theories” about the pandemic.

The Dec 31 program featured Robert Malone, a doctor who has called himself the "inventor” of mRNA vaccines, the type that serves as the basis for the Covid-19 vaccine. Malone was banned from Twitter for circulating anti-vaccine misinformation.

YouTube deleted a recording of the Rogan podcast shortly after it was uploaded to the website by a third-party.