Maryanne Demasi

Maryanne Demasi
Occupation(s)Journalist, presenter

Maryanne Demasi is an Australian investigative journalist and presenter best known for her controversial work with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Catalyst television program. Demasi challenges the scientific consensus on cholesterol, saturated fat and statins. She has argued that high-blood cholesterol and high saturated fat consumption do not cause or increase risk of cardiovascular disease and that cholesterol-reducing drugs such as statins are ineffective. These claims have been criticized by medical experts as dangerous and misleading.[1][2][3][4]

Demasi became nationally prominent for television stories[5] that resulted in controversy, contributing to early rumours of the axing of Catalyst followed by an announcement of its planned restructuring and possible redeployment of staff.[6]

  1. ^ "Catalyst challenges the mainstream". Abc.net.au. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Sections of the medical community question Catalyst program about cholesterol and heart disease - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Abc.net.au. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  3. ^ "ABC Media Watch : Heart Foundation : Response to ABC Catalyst program" (PDF). Abc.net.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 November 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  4. ^ "ABC takes down Catalyst heart disease episodes after review criticism". theguardian.com. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  5. ^ "Catalyst Wi-Fried and statins reports fail viewers with bad science journalism". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 July 2016.
  6. ^ "ABC 'saves' Catalyst, but staff to go in restructure". The Sydney Morning Herald.