Steven Bartlett's Podcast Under Fire for Promoting Health Misinformation

The Diary of a CEO podcast, hosted by Steven Bartlett, is facing scrutiny for broadcasting unverified health advice, including claims that certain diets can cure cancer. A BBC investigation found over 200 misleading health claims in just a few episodes, raising alarms about the potential impact on public health.

In a recent BBC investigation, the popular Diary of a CEO podcast, hosted by Steven Bartlett, has been found to propagate potentially harmful health misinformation. The podcast, which features a variety of guests including those presenting themselves as health experts, has come under scrutiny for allowing unchallenged claims that contradict established medical advice. Claims reported include the assertion that cancer can be treated by adhering to a ketogenic diet rather than relying on scientifically validated treatments.

The investigation revealed that in reviewing 15 health-related episodes, an average of 14 harmful health claims were identified in each, raising concerns among medical experts. Prominent voices in the medical community, such as cancer researcher Professor David Grimes and NHS diabetes adviser Dr. Partha Kar, warned that unchallenged misinformation erodes public trust in conventional medicine, potentially endangering health outcomes for listeners.

The podcast production company behind Diary of a CEO, Flight Studio, maintained that guests are thoroughly researched and that the platform offers "freedom of expression." However, critics have pointed out that this freedom has led to significant airtime for ideas without proper interrogation or scientific backing. The show, which began focusing on entrepreneurship, has shifted its content to include a heavy focus on health over the past 18 months. This pivot has coincided with a considerable increase in audience engagement, with monthly views rising from nine million to 15 million.

Hosts and guests alike have made several incendiary claims, including anti-vaccine conspiracies and assertions that dietary changes can reverse conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and autism. In one particularly controversial episode featuring Dr. Aseem Malhotra, who has been criticized for spreading misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines, Bartlett defended the less scientific viewpoints, suggesting people should approach these topics with an open mind.

The research found that while some guests had provided accurate information, the overwhelming trend leaned toward sharing debunked health theories. For instance, cancer researcher Dr. Thomas Seyfried promoted the ketogenic diet as a treatment option, a stance that has been rejected by many in the medical community who caution against dietary restrictions during cancer treatment.

Amidst growing concerns over the responsibility of podcasters to fact-check claims, the investigation raised alarms about the regulation—or lack thereof—surrounding health-related content in the UK, as such podcasts are not bound by UK media regulator Ofcom’s rules on accuracy.

Steven Bartlett, who has taken both financial and advisory roles in various health-related enterprises, faces increased scrutiny regarding the influence of his investments on content direction. While he claims to aim for balanced discussions, the BBC report highlights that his podcast often features guests with potentially dubious backgrounds, contributing to the spread of health misinformation.

In response to the investigation, Bartlett's production company emphasized the podcast's goal of encouraging open conversation and featuring diverse opinions while stating that the analysis only reviewed a small portion of their extensive roster of guests. The investigation's findings, however, underscore the potential health risks posed by unchecked misinformation in popular media.