Channel 4's Controversial ADHD Documentary Sparks Thousands Of Ofcom Complaints

Ofcom has confirmed it received a flood of complaints in the wake of Channel 4’s recent controversial documentary The Great ADHD Myth?.

The TV watchdog shared on Wednesday that it was contacted by more than 9,000 viewers over the polarising doc, which claimed that it sought to “determine whether ADHD is a genuine neurodevelopmental disorder, or a social construct”.

Upon broadcast, the UK’s leading ADHD charity ADHD UK condemned the show, suggesting it could contribute to further stigmatising the condition, and encouraging viewers to make complaints to Ofcom.

Since its broadcast a week ago, the media regulator received 9,656 complaints. As is standard procedure, these will be assessed by Ofcom before they make the decision as to whether to pursue the matter further.

ADHD UK co-founder Henry Shelford told HuffPost UK last week: “We are shocked by this programme. The fact it got commissioned at all speaks to the stigma around ADHD – a stigma that is now likely to get worse because of this show.”

Since then, a professor of cognitive neuroscience who was interviewed as part of the Channel 4 doc also spoke out against it, claiming it “largely misrepresented, truncated and presented my comments out of context to make them fit into” a particular narrative.

A Channel 4 spokesperson responded: “We are satisfied that Katya Rubia’s contribution has been edited fairly, is an accurate representation of the interview she gave and that her consent was informed.”

Last week, a survey by ADHD UK revealed that, of 1,566 people who watched The Great ADHD Myth?, 92% believed it had increased stigma surrounding ADHD, while 93% did not believe the show was fair in its representation of the condition.

In response to this, Channel 4’s rep insisted: “It is undeniable that there is considerable public debate on various aspects of ADHD, including in relation to the prescribing of medication and diagnostic procedures, and it is not misleading to suggest that these views exist.

“Channel 4 has a remit which includes offering a platform for alternative views, stimulating public debate and challenging the status quo.”