Steven Bartlett accused of amplifying dangerous health claims on his podcast
Steven Bartlett, the host of the "Diary of a CEO" podcast, has faced backlash from health professionals for spreading misleading health information in his highly popular show. This misinformation could pose a risk to individuals battling cancer.
The star of Dragons' Den is under scrutiny after podcast guests made baseless health assertions, such as claiming that a keto diet can cure cancer.
Health professionals cautioned that these claims could lead to serious repercussions for individuals who are seriously unwell and advised the audience against heeding certain pieces of advice.
On Friday, a report by BBC World Service revealed that guests encountered minimal scrutiny. Experts informed the BBC that not addressing these debunked assertions posed a risk, as it fostered skepticism towards traditional medical practices.
In a review of 15 episodes of health-related podcasts, the researchers discovered that each episode included an average of 14 misleading health assertions that contradicted a wealth of scientific research.
Nonetheless, Flight Studio, the podcast production firm run by Bartlett, stated that guests were given the opportunity to express themselves freely and were well-researched prior to their appearances.
Since its launch in 2017, the podcast has gained 7 million subscribers. Over the past year, its monthly view count jumped from 9 million to 15 million.
During the eight months studied by the BBC, several individuals presented as health experts propagated inaccurate information. They made claims such as vaccine conspiracies, suggested that Covid was a man-made weapon, and argued that conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome and autism could be "cured" through dietary changes. Additionally, they described scientifically-backed medications as "harmful" for patients, undermining the effectiveness of established treatments.
Heidi Larson, a specialist in public trust regarding healthcare, shared with the BBC: "The guests are going too far. This discourages people from relying on evidence-based medicine. They may avoid treatments that could have some side effects, even if those treatments could potentially save their lives."
In an October episode, Dr. Thomas Seyfried mentioned to Bartlett that adopting a keto diet might assist in cancer treatment, according to the BBC. He likened contemporary cancer therapies to “medieval remedies.”
In a podcast episode from July, Dr. Aseem Malhotra expressed that the “Covid vaccine had more drawbacks than benefits for society.”
A representative from Flight Studio emphasized that they carefully researched every guest episode before deciding to produce it.
“DOAC encourages its guests to express themselves freely and believes that true progress, personal growth, and learning happen when we listen to diverse perspectives, not just opinions that align with those of Steven and the DOAC team,” they noted.
They mentioned that the BBC had examined only 15 episodes out of nearly 400 that have been released so far.
"They expressed disappointment and concern that the report highlights fewer than 4% of episodes, featuring a small number of guests (some of whom have appeared on the BBC), to craft a wider narrative that seems biased and misleading."
In August, the advertising regulator prohibited two Facebook ads promoting the diet app Zoe and the meal replacement supplement Huel, which included endorsements from Bartlett, because they were deemed “deceptive.”
In February and March, Bartlett shared three sponsored posts on Facebook showcasing the products. However, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) pointed out that these advertisements were misleading because they failed to disclose that Bartlett was an investor in Zoe and served as a director at Huel.
