Steven Bartlett sharing harmful health misinformation in Diary of CEO podcast | BBC News
Investigation into Health Misinformation on "Diary of a CEO"
Overview of the Investigation
- A BBC World Service investigation reveals that Steven Bartlett's podcast, "Diary of a CEO," is amplifying harmful health misinformation.
- The podcast has shifted focus from business to health topics over recent episodes, with an average of 14 harmful claims made by guests per episode.
- Experts warn that these claims could foster distrust in medicine and potentially harm patients.
Notable Claims and Lack of Challenge
- Guests like Dr. Mark Hyman make unchallenged claims linking gluten to various serious conditions, including autism and schizophrenia.
- Another guest suggests the ketogenic diet as a non-toxic cancer treatment without any challenge from Bartlett during the discussion.
- The potential risks for cancer patients who might adopt restrictive diets based on such advice are highlighted.
Motivations Behind Content Shift
- The shift towards health-related content appears driven by clickbait strategies, utilizing alarming titles that perform well online.
- A spokesperson for Bartlett's production company defends the podcast as an open-minded platform featuring diverse voices, regardless of agreement with all views presented.
Expert Opinions on Health Misinformation
- Dr. Lizar Roden emphasizes the dangers of unchecked health information on podcasts, noting that many listeners may take this advice over professional medical guidance.
- She points out common myths about cancer treatments circulating in media, such as sugar causing cancer or juicing diets being effective cures.
Impact of Celebrity Influence
- The influence of celebrities discussing alternative therapies can lead vulnerable patients to reject proven treatments like chemotherapy.
- Dr. Roden warns about the ripple effect when public figures promote unverified methods for treating serious illnesses.
Advice for Patients Seeking Information