The program made controversial claims about vegan diets (Photo: Adobe. Do not use without permission)
The BBC has been blasted for airing 'blatant misinformation and biased reporting' in a recent radio broadcast about veganism.
Last Monday's Start the Week program featured host Kirsty Wark interviewing food writer Joanna Blythman. Among the claims the pair made were that plant-based diets 'cannot compare in nutrient density' to omnivorous ones, and that young vegan women are likely to have fertility issues as their 'diets lack iron'.
Numerous listeners contacted the BBC to complain, with one accusing the broadcaster of giving airtime to 'fatuous propaganda on behalf of the meat industry' and others complaining said Wark was 'far too supportive of Blythman's controversial views', instead of challenging them.
Listener Richard Peacock said: "I appreciate that the issue of BBC bias and balance is thrown around far too liberally, but I think if you're going to talk about an issue in these terms, then you need someone else to balance the viewpoint, whether that is someone who can accurately represent a vegan perspective or a presenter who will challenge the guest's claims."
David Gibbon added: "I heard this morning yet another fatuous piece of propaganda on behalf of the meat industry by some woman bleating on about jackfruit and avocados and Seventh Day Advertists. Would it be possible to get some sensible vegan opinions on the airwaves instead of trotting out these ridiculous caricatures of veganism all the time?"
One listener simply identified herself as 'Teresa from London'. She said that while Start the Week isn't a news program, when an institution 'insists on balance to the extent that Nigel Farage is never off the BBC and climate change deniers were given frequent coverage until recently', Wark's claims that eating 14-year-old beef will do no harm - implying this was to the environment and maybe even the animal - are 'ridiculous and offensive'.
Avocados were cited as being destructive to the environment(Photo: Adobe. Do not use without permission)
Vegan charity Viva! published an 800-word statement in response to the program, saying the presenters made 'wild, unsubstantiated claims on all aspects of veganism from the environment to nutrition, and even human rights and culture', accusing the BBC of 'sharing misinformation and presenting it as fact'.
"How ironic to state that 'there is a plethora of information out there yet very little of it is authenticated' when the BBC themselves are sharing misinformation and presenting it as fact," Viva! added.
The statement tackled the claims made about avocados and jackfruit harming the environment, raised the issues of human rights violations committed through animal agriculture, looked at some of the health claims aired, and challenged the view that 'vegans have "lost the joy of eating'.
"The BBC has a duty to provide accurate, balanced information which is in the interest of the public. You failed to provide a counter-argument to the unsubstantiated claims made in this show," it added, while requesting the organization makes on-air corrections for the erroneously claims broadcast during the segment.
Read this article:
BBC Blasted Over 'Wild And Unsubstantiated' Negative Claims About Veganism - Plant Based News
- About Veganism - Vegan Action [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2019]
- veganism.com [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2019]
- Definition of veganism | The Vegan Society [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2019]
- What Is a Vegan? What Do Vegans Eat? - thespruceeats.com [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2019]
- Veganism - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2019]
- Veganism | What is Veganism & How to Do More for Animals ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2019]
- BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO VEGANISM how to go vegan [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2019]
- Veganism: 20 Powerful Reasons People Become Vegans [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2019]
- The unstoppable rise of veganism: how a fringe movement went ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2019]
- Vegan Cafe Ready to Open in Wilkes-Barre - WNEP Scranton/Wilkes-Barre [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2019]
- Movers & Thinkers: The Butcher, The Vegan Baker, The Potions Maker - WPLN [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2019]
- Love Earth Cafe: A new vegan eatery dedicated to healthy choices - SILive.com [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2019]
- Vevolution Is the Must-Attend Vegan Festival of 2019 - LIVEKINDLY [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2019]
- What Is the Definition of a Vegan Diet? - LIVEKINDLY [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2019]
- How to have a meat-free Thanksgiving: advice from vegans - Montreal Gazette [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2019]
- Did You Know These 17 Musicians Are All Vegan? - LIVEKINDLY [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2019]
- 15 Vegan Lifestyle Benefits That Will Make You Never Look Back - LIVEKINDLY [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2019]
- Alicia Silverstone: Going Vegan Is the Most Effective Way to Combat the Climate Crisis - LIVEKINDLY [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2019]
- As Vegans, We Need to Show More Compassion Towards Those Who Aren't Like Us - VegNews [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2019]
- Vegan meatball Subway finally launches in the UK here's what you need to know - The Independent [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2019]
- A vegan diet can boost erections, according to a new Netflix documentary. Here's the reality. - INSIDER [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2019]
- Vegans, vegetarians and the meat of the matter - The Guardian [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2019]
- This Is How to Go Vegan When You Have a Tight Budget - LIVEKINDLY [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2019]
- 13 Celebrities Before and After Going Vegan - LIVEKINDLY [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2019]
- Marvel Just Turned This 12-Year-Old Vegan Activist Into a Superhero - LIVEKINDLY [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2019]
- Pittsburgh Vegan Expo and Convention offers tasty sample of the lifestyle - TribLIVE [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2019]
- The Real Reason Chef and Author Eddie Huang Went Vegan, Plus Other Plant-Based Celebrities - Showbiz Cheat Sheet [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2019]
- Why 'vegan' is a dirty word: is it time to come up with a better term for the animal-free life? - HeraldScotland [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2019]
- Veganism: Common myths and misconceptions about the lifestyle - Republic World - Republic World [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2019]
- With veganism on the rise, vegetarians are becoming an afterthought - The Irish Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2019]
- The top 6 reasons people go vegan, explained - CNET [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2019]
- These 19 Celebrities Ate Vegan Wings on Hot Ones - LIVEKINDLY [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2019]
- Vegan in NJ: VegFest returns to feed thousands at the Meadowlands Expo Center - Asbury Park Press [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2019]
- Justin Bieber Thinks Vegans Should Get Paid $100K a Year - LIVEKINDLY [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2019]
- 6 Celebrities Whove Gone Vegan, From Miley Cyrus to Ariana Grande - Refinery29 [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2019]
- HappyCow Reveals Top Ten Vegan Friendly Cities in the World - vegconomist - the vegan business magazine [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 3rd, 2019]
- Veganism, KFC and the secret to weight loss - National Post [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 3rd, 2019]
- This Guide to Vegan Beauty Products Will Help You Be Ethical and Gorgeous - WDET [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 3rd, 2019]
- London tops list of world's most vegan-friendly cities - The Guardian [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 3rd, 2019]
- Tired of turkey? Here's why you'll want to try a vegan Thanksgiving this year - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 3rd, 2019]
- A 9-year-old vegan challenged Trump to give up animal products for 30 days and 'make America healthy again' - INSIDER [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 3rd, 2019]
- London named the most vegan-friendly city in the world - CNBC [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 3rd, 2019]
- Veganism won't save the world from environmental ruin, researchers warn - New York Post [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 3rd, 2019]
- For a vegan diet to be healthy and complete, you really need to understand your food - ABC News [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 4th, 2019]
- Deep and crisp and vegan: now meat-free festive fare goes exotic - The Guardian [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2019]
- French women breaking down the final frontier in veganism - Euronews [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2019]
- How Fans Are Handling Their Favorite Influencer Going From Vegan To An All-Carnivore Diet - BuzzFeed News [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2019]
- Its Time to End the Vegan Tax - LIVEKINDLY [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 10th, 2019]
- Vegan, 48, says people think she's in her 20s 'all thanks to plant-based diet' - Mirror Online [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 12th, 2019]
- The real winner in the growth of veganism is capitalism - Scroll.in [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 12th, 2019]
- Influencers Ditching Veganism is an Overcooked Way of Getting More Clicks - VegNews [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 12th, 2019]
- Green new meal: the unpalatable truth about veganism and climate change - Prospect [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 12th, 2019]
- Top athletes go vegan but experts advise caution - Times of India [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 15th, 2019]
- 'I'm an endurance runner with one kneecap - vegans aren't weak' - Metro.co.uk [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 15th, 2019]
- You can't be a vegan and still eat at Mcdonald's - Metro.co.uk [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 22nd, 2019]
- Vegan diet: One thing to know before converting to veganism - NEWS.com.au [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 22nd, 2019]
- Its boomtime for Veganuary as retailers rush to join the trend - The Guardian [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 22nd, 2019]
- The biggest health and wellness trends of 2019, from veganism to keto diets - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 22nd, 2019]
- Vegan athletes are increasing, but does a plant-based diet improve athleticism? - ABC News [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- 23,000 People Rank Vegan Food In UK: Best Pizza, Cheese, Sausages And More Revealed - Plant Based News [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- How to be a 'sustainable' vegan - Wicked Leeks [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Vegan myths: the most common misconceptions about the diet - Her.ie [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Starbucks to Add New Vegan Items to Its Menu, But Theres a Catch - SheKnows [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Jewish veganism is worthy of study | Opinion - Jewish News of Greater Phoenix [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Vegan influencer is now a hunter-gatherer teaching people to kill animals - New York Post [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Is pasta vegan? Everything you need to know for Veganuary - Heart [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2020]
- Do you love a vegan? Study claims 62 per cent of people don't think veganism is attractive trait in a partner - Gloucestershire Live [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2020]
- Court To Decide Whether Veganism Is Protected Like Religion Under The Law - The Daily Wire [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2020]
- Top five fitness podcasts spanning vegan eating tips, running advice and training guides - inews [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2020]
- Waitrose Doubles Vegan Range to 120 Products - vegconomist - the vegan business magazine [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2020]
- After tribunal's ethical veganism ruling, what is a protected belief? - The Guardian [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2020]
- Could the Economic Disaster Turn Meat-Loving Argentines Vegan? - OZY [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2020]
- Ethical veganism is a 'philosophical belief' and should have protected status, employment tribunal rules - inews [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2020]
- Your Most-Loved Vegan Stories of 2019 - LIVEKINDLY [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2020]
- Is veganism as good for you as they say? - The Guardian [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2020]
- Ethical Veganism Is a Philosophical Belief, British Court Rules - The New York Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2020]
- 33 vegan fast food options - Medical News Today [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2020]
- Veganuary: Will going vegan really save the planet? - The Independent [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 7th, 2020]
- Vegans 'reduce diabetes and heart risks' - The Ecologist [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 7th, 2020]
- How to be vegan - Real Homes [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 7th, 2020]