Bloomsbury Apologises for Publishing False Claim

Bloomsbury Apologises to Jay Rayner Over False Claim in New Book

Bloomsbury has apologised to food critic Jay Rayner after a new book by journalist Johann Hari wrongly claimed that Rayner had taken Ozempic, a weight loss drug.

Hari’s False Claim

In his new book, The Magic Pill, Hari claimed that Rayner, 57, had also injected himself with the drug and said that it had robbed him of pleasure in food. However, this was false, and Rayner has clarified that he has never taken Ozempic or any similar medication.

Rayner Responds

Rayner took to X (formerly Twitter) to address Hari’s accusation, saying that the claim was "utter b**" and questioning why Bloomsbury had failed to fact-check the book properly. He wrote: "I am mystified as to why did not go through the text with a fine-tooth comb. The issue is that stuff like this ends up on the record. So, for the record, and contrary to what has written and said, I have never used Ozempic or anything similar."

Bloomsbury’s Apology

Bloomsbury later apologised to Rayner, stating: "We sincerely apologise for any distress caused. This is an unfortunate mistake and we will correct it across all formats. We confirm that there was a fact-checking process in place for the book. The error occurred when an article was wrongly attributed to you."

Hari’s History of Controversy

This is not the first time Hari has been involved in a controversy. In June 2011, he issued an apology for a string of misconducts, including editing interview scripts and Wikipedia pages. He admitted to removing negative remarks on his Wikipedia page using a pseudonym, as well as "nasty" comments left on the pages of people he admires.

Conclusion

The incident highlights the importance of fact-checking and verification in journalism. It is crucial for publishers to ensure that the information presented in their publications is accurate and reliable. Rayner’s case serves as a reminder of the consequences of false information and the need for accountability in the media.

FAQs

Q: What is Ozempic?
A: Ozempic is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Q: Who is Johann Hari?
A: Johann Hari is a journalist and author of The Magic Pill, which explores the world of weight loss drugs.

Q: What is the controversy surrounding Rayner and Hari?
A: Rayner has denied taking Ozempic, as claimed by Hari in his new book, and has questioned the lack of fact-checking by Bloomsbury.