Shameful failed cover-up by the BBC

Do you trust it?

THE POWER OF BLOGGING

On 20th November, the BBC published a “news” story under the headline:

Milk allergy in babies 'missed'
Cow's milk allergy in babies is being missed by doctors, a survey suggests.

It was presented as a scientific news story, from a "medical task force” called “Act against Allergy”. It warned mothers about the dangers of milk allergy in babies and advised that most doctors were not managing the problem competently.

It went on to say:

"Officials recommend babies who are allergic to cow's milk can be given special low-allergy or hypoallergenic milk, such as an amino-acid based formula."

It did not specifiy who the officials were, but the implication was that they were from "Act against Allergy."

The story was dishonest and misleading. "Act against Allergy" is not a “medical task force”. It is part of a company that manufactures artificial hypoallergenic milk.

The BBC had been sold a dummy. This was not science. It was not news. It was an advertorial.

Dr Crippen published this story on the same day, pointing out that the BBC had been duped. He also made a formal written complaint to the BBC. He has not had a reply. Not even an acknowledgement.

Two days ago, Dr Crippen started getting emails accusing him of misrepresenting the BBC; of not checking his facts; in particular, these emails said

“the BBC article clearly stated that the recommendation was made by the artificial milk manufacturers.”

No it did not. So I went back to check.

Yes it did!

Now.

The article has been altered. In particular the second paragraph now says:

"Nearly 80% of 500 doctors polled by a formula milk manufacturer thought their colleagues confused milk allergy symptoms with other conditions."

In the original article, the second paragraph said:

"Nearly 80% of 500 doctors polled by the medical taskforce Act Against Allergy thought their colleagues confused milk allergy symptoms with other conditions."

And a new, penultimate paragraph has been added saying:

"The poll was carried out by Act Against Allergy, an initiative set up to increase awareness of milk allergy, by SHS International Ltd, which produces its own versions of formula milk."

Has the BBC admitted their mistake? Have they apologised?

No they have not. They have attempted to cover it up.

That is unwise. We humble bloggers may not have the clout of the BBC, but clearly we know something that “Auntie” does not. Once you publish an article on the internet, you cannot take it back. It will be cached somewhere. And indeed it is.

Compare the original article in which the BBC makes a fool of itself, with the “new improved” doctored article in which it tries to mount a cover-up.

Look at the second and the final paragraphs in both articles.

What a disgrace.

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NB The Google cache has now been "updated" and the truly original post has disappeared. So wonderfully Stalinist. Airbrushed out of history. Fortunately, I have a screenshot, and it is all still on the excellent Newssniffer - here.