Adjudication No. 620 (February 1993) [1993] APC 12

ADJUDICATION No. 620 (February 1993)

The Australian Press Council has upheld a complaint against the Brisbane Courier-Mail over an article dealing with what was described as "25 GREAT FOOD MYTHS".

The article covered many areas of nutritional advice and sought to "correct" myths. For example, it challenged the views that all fat and too much oil are bad for health, that starches are bad for you and that stoneground flour is better than regular flour.

The article, which appeared in a regular health and nutrition section gave no source for the claims and views it expressed. Later the paper admitted that the by-line had been omitted in error [Dhatch] it would have explained that the article was written by a London-based nutritionist.

The article elicited a detailed response from Dr David McLelland, a naturopath, who challenged the article, saying some of it was misleading, some incorrect. He set out matters where he took issue with the author.

He then complained to the Press Council on the ground that the newspaper had breached its obligation to take all reasonable steps to ensure the truth of its statements and had failed to allow a response to the article.

The Press Council believes that the Courier-Mail should have sourced the article and the views expressed, even if it could not be reasonably expected to ensure the truth of all the claims made.

In view of the controversial nature of the views expressed, it would have provided greater fairness on an issue of obvious public interest for the paper to have reacted to Dr McLelland's letter by publishing balancing views in a letter or further article.