Steven Bartlett Faces Backlash for Health Misinformation on Diary of a CEO Podcast

Steven Bartlett Faces Backlash for Health Misinformation on Diary of a CEO Podcast.

A BBC investigation has revealed that Steven Bartlett, the host of the podcast Diary of a CEO, is promoting misleading health information on his highly ranked show.

Recent assertions made by guests, such as the notion that a ketogenic diet can effectively treat cancer instead of established medical treatments, were presented with minimal scrutiny by the Dragons' Den personality. Experts have indicated that the failure to challenge these unfounded claims poses a significant risk, as it fosters skepticism towards conventional medical practices.

In a review of 15 episodes focused on health topics, the BBC World Service discovered that each episode featured an average of 14 harmful health assertions that contradict well-established scientific research.

Flight Studio, the podcast production company owned by Mr. Bartlett, stated that guests were provided with "freedom of expression" and were "thoroughly researched".

The podcast, which commenced in 2017, centers on entrepreneurship and business topics. It gained significant traction as notable figures, including influencer Molly Mae and Airbnb founder Brian Chesky, shared their insights on achieving success.

However, over the past 18 months, Mr. Bartlett has shifted his focus towards health, featuring guests who are recognized authorities in their respective fields. Their perspectives are seldom challenged.

The interviews are also uploaded to Mr. Bartlett's YouTube channel, which boasts seven million subscribers. Following this content transition last year, the monthly viewership has surged from nine million to 15 million.

In an interview with The Times in April, Mr. Bartlett expressed his expectation for the podcast to generate £20 million this year, primarily through advertising revenue.

The BBC examined 23 health-related episodes that were released between April and November of this year, conducting fact-checking on 15 of them, which contained potentially harmful assertions, with the assistance of four medical experts.

The experts consulted included Professor David Grimes, a cancer research specialist; Professor Heidi Larson, an authority on public confidence in healthcare; Dr. Partha Kar, an NHS diabetes advisor; and Dr. Liz O'Riordan, a surgeon.

They categorized harmful claims as advice that could result in adverse health consequences if acted upon.

During this eight-month period, while some guests identified as health experts provided accurate information, the majority disseminated misleading claims. These included:

Conspiracy theories regarding vaccines, asserting that Covid was a man-made weapon.

The notion that polycystic ovarian syndrome, autism, and other conditions can be "reversed" through dietary changes.

The assertion that evidence-based medications are "toxic" for patients, which undermines the effectiveness of established treatments.

According to Professor David Grimes from Trinity College Dublin, podcasters may present themselves as purveyors of information, yet they often propagate harmful misinformation.

"That's a very different and not empowering thing. It actually imperils all our health," he says.

Podcasts in the United Kingdom operate without oversight from the media regulator Ofcom, which enforces standards regarding accuracy and impartiality. Consequently, Mr. Bartlett is not in violation of any broadcasting regulations.

In a July episode, Mr. Bartlett interviewed Dr. Aseem Malhotra, a physician who gained notoriety during the pandemic for disseminating false information concerning Covid vaccines.

During the episode, Dr. Malhotra asserts that the "Covid vaccine was a net negative for society" However, an analysis conducted by the World Health Organization indicates that the vaccine was instrumental in saving numerous lives throughout the pandemic.

At the conclusion of the episode, Mr. Bartlett, who lacks a background in health, defended the broadcast of the discredited opinions by stating his intention to "present some of the other side," asserting that "the truth is usually found somewhere in the middle."

He further remarked, "Ideas from the suffragettes, Gandhi and Martin Luther King were also received equally horrifically... so we have to be humble that an idea that may be important may trigger us, but it can't be censored."

In reaction to the investigation, Dr. Malhotra conveyed to the BBC that he "completely accept[s] that there are still some people who disagree with [his views]" and said that "does not mean that they have In numerous podcast episodes, guests asserted that they possessed straightforward solutions to health problems that they felt were being concealed by mainstream institutions. Additionally, they frequently promoted their products during the podcast.

In October, cancer researcher Dr. Thomas Seyfried was featured on the podcast, advocating for the ketogenic diet, which is characterized by low carbohydrate and high fat intake, as a potential treatment for cancer.

However, Professor Grimes informed us that medical professionals advised patients against limiting their diet while receiving cancer treatment. been debunked".

"You could potentially and very realistically get very, very, sick and have a much worse health outcome than if you followed recommended advice from your oncologists," he said.

In the podcast, Dr. Seyfried indicated that radiotherapy and chemotherapy have only extended patients' lives by one to two months, likening contemporary cancer treatments to "medieval cures."

Mr. Bartlett has not responded to this assertion.

According to statistics from Cancer Research UK, cancer survival rates in the UK have doubled over the last five decades. In the United States, the cancer mortality rate has decreased by 33% since 1990, attributed to advancements in modern treatments.

Dr. Thomas Seyfried affirmed that he "stands by the statements he made during the interview."

The solutions proposed by these guests resonate with listeners, as they appear practical and are devoid of the side effects associated with pharmaceutical medications, according to Professor Heidi Larson, an authority on public confidence in healthcare.

"But they [the guests] are way overstretching. It sends people away from evidence-based medicine. They stop doing things that might have some side effects, even though it could save their life."

Cécile Simmons, affiliated with the Institute of Strategic Dialogue, a think tank that focuses on disinformation research, asserts that this kind of content has the potential to expand audience reach.

"Health-related clickbait content with scary titles does really well online with the algorithm amplifying that," she said.

Mr. Bartlett has previously engaged in questionable health assertions.

In January, during an episode of BBC Two's Dragons' Den—where aspiring entrepreneurs present their business concepts to a panel of five multimillionaire investors, including Mr. Bartlett—he made an investment in "Ear Seeds," which are acupuncture beads placed in the ear that misleadingly claim to treat the chronic fatigue condition known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).

Following complaints, the BBC has added a disclaimer to the episode and on iPlayer, clarifying that "Ear Seeds" are not intended as a treatment and that individuals should seek medical advice for ME.

Additionally, he is an investor in Huel, a company specializing in meal replacements, as well as in Zoe, which offers a personalized nutrition program that utilizes blood sugar monitoring.

"He has financial stakes in health and wellness companies. And once you have financial interests, you have then the further interest in focusing on health and nutrition," says Ms Simmons.

Recently, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) prohibited two Facebook advertisements featuring Mr. Bartlett for endorsing Huel and Zoe products without revealing his status as an investor.

The founders of both companies have previously appeared as guests on The Diary of a CEO podcast.

A representative from Flight Studio, Mr. Bartlett's production company, stated "The Diary of a CEO [DOAC] is an open-minded, long-form conversation… with individuals identified for their distinguished and eminent career and/or consequential life experience."

They heard a range of voices, they said, "not just those Steven and the DOAC team necessarily agree with".

Steven Bartlett's promotion of harmful health misinformation on Diary of a CEO raises serious concerns. By providing a platform for unchallenged, misleading claims, such as the idea that a ketogenic diet can treat cancer, Bartlett undermines trust in established medical practices. His failure to critically engage with experts and fact-check health advice exposes listeners to potentially dangerous misinformation.

Despite the podcast's growing popularity, the lack of accountability and regulatory oversight allows harmful ideas to spread unchecked, putting public health at risk. The promotion of alternative treatments without evidence-based support only perpetuates misconceptions and misguides vulnerable audiences.

LATEST: Top 50 Most Valuable Sports Teams in the World: 2024 Rankings.