Steven Bartlett, host of the widely successful Diary of a CEO podcast, is under scrutiny after a BBC investigation revealed the amplification of harmful health misinformation in several episodes. Guests on the podcast, some presented as leading health experts, have made unchallenged claims that contradict established medical evidence, including the suggestion that cancer can be treated solely through a ketogenic diet rather than conventional methods. Experts have raised concerns about the potential risks of such content, warning that it could undermine public trust in evidence-based medicine.
An analysis of 15 health-related episodes conducted by BBC World Service uncovered an average of 14 misleading or harmful health claims per episode. Cancer research professor David Grimes remarked, “Podcasters may claim they are sharing information, but they are actually sharing harmful misinformation. That’s a very different and not empowering thing. It actually imperils all our health.”
Mr. Bartlett’s production company, Flight Studio, defended the podcast, stating that guests are given “freedom of expression” and are “thoroughly researched.” They emphasized the show’s commitment to presenting diverse voices, not limited to those the host necessarily agrees with.
The podcast, which initially focused on entrepreneurship, has shifted its emphasis to health content in the past 18 months. Since this pivot, monthly views on Mr. Bartlett’s YouTube channel have risen from nine million to 15 million. Guests have included controversial figures like Dr. Aseem Malhotra, who claimed the Covid vaccine was a “net negative for society.” Mr. Bartlett responded to criticisms in the same episode, stating, “I aim to present some of the other side as the truth is usually somewhere in the middle.”
Cancer researcher Dr. Thomas Seyfried, who appeared on the podcast in October, advocated for the ketogenic diet as a cancer treatment and dismissed radiotherapy and chemotherapy as medieval, stating they extended patients’ lifespans by only one or two months. These claims were not questioned by Mr. Bartlett during the episode. Cancer Research UK data, however, contradicts such assertions, showing that cancer survival rates in the UK have doubled over the past 50 years, while in the US, cancer mortality has dropped by 33% since 1990.
Health experts, including Prof. Heidi Larson, warn that promoting oversimplified solutions can steer individuals away from evidence-based treatments. “They stop doing things that might have some side effects, even though it could save their life,” she said.
The BBC’s investigation also highlighted instances where podcast guests promoted their products while making unverified health claims. For example, Mr. Bartlett invested in controversial “Ear Seeds,” acupuncture beads falsely advertised as a cure for chronic fatigue. The BBC added disclaimers to the relevant Dragons’ Den episode following public complaints.
Cécile Simmons from the Institute of Strategic Dialogue remarked, “Health-related clickbait content with scary titles does really well online with the algorithm amplifying that.” She also pointed out Mr. Bartlett’s financial interests in health-related companies, including Huel and Zoe, both of which have featured on the podcast.
Despite growing concerns, the podcast operates in a regulatory grey area as podcasts in the UK are not subject to Ofcom rules on accuracy or impartiality. Prof. Grimes expressed disappointment, stating, “No matter how high the dust flies, it can never dirty the sky.”
The above news copy is based on Jacqui Wakefield’s report on BBC.
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