Former Amos Yee advocate now criticized for backing podcast host accused of spreading misinformation
Melissa Chen, a Singapore-born journalist currently based in Boston, is under fire for her vocal defense of Joe Rogan, whose podcast has been accused of spreading misinformation about COVID-19. Despite the growing controversy surrounding Rogan, particularly from medical professionals and scientists, Chen expressed unwavering support, tweeting, “I will die on this hill.” Her stance has drawn criticism from Singaporean figures, including infectious disease pediatrician Lakshmi Ganapathi, who condemned Chen for trivializing the real harm caused by disinformation during the pandemic.
Rogan’s podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, has come under scrutiny for featuring controversial guests, like Dr. Robert Malone, who allegedly promoted conspiracy theories, including comparisons between pandemic measures and the Holocaust. In response, over 270 medical professionals sent a letter to Spotify demanding clearer policies to combat misinformation on its platform. This followed actions by musicians like Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, who removed their music from Spotify in protest of Rogan’s content.
Chen doubled down on her defense of Rogan, citing his authenticity and the relatable nature of his conversations as reasons for his popularity. She posted a photo with Rogan and argued that his podcast reflects everyday conversations, making it appealing to his audience. In contrast, Lakshmi Ganapathi expressed frustration, highlighting how misinformation has led to real-world harm, saying, “COVID-19 disinformation has blood on its hands.”
Sudhir Vadaketh, a socio-political commentator, also joined the debate, stressing that vaccine lies have had lasting damage and cost lives. He criticized Rogan’s platform for allowing guests like Dr. Malone to spread falsehoods under the guise of skepticism, which should be based on facts, not conspiracy theories.
Melissa Chen first gained prominence for supporting Amos Yee, a Singaporean activist who fled to the U.S. for political asylum after facing imprisonment for his critical posts about the Singaporean government. However, Chen later distanced herself from Yee due to his controversial views on pedophilia, calling for his deportation. Chen has been a vocal critic of both Singapore’s and China’s restrictions on free speech.
Final Paragraph:
Chen, now at the center of a heated debate over free speech and misinformation, continues to defend Joe Rogan, even as figures from both the scientific community and her own past in activism criticize her stance. While she remains firm in her belief, the ongoing controversy highlights the broader challenges of balancing freedom of expression with the responsibility to counter false information, especially during a global pandemic.
