SPCS

SOCIETY FOR PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY STANDARDS INC.

Broadcasting Standards Authority uphold Seven Sharp complaint

by Leave a Comment

Prime-time current affairs show Seven Sharp has been issued with a complaint from the Broadcasting Standards Authority, after airing an “imbalanced” story about voluntary euthanasia in March of this year.

In light of the widely-publicised Lecretia Seales case which followed, the story proved extremely topical, timely and relevant however, according to the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA), also “lacked balance”.

The item was broadcast in March this year and featured the story of a terminally ill woman who is a long-standing voluntary euthanasia campaigner,” the BSA said in a statement on Monday.

“It also discussed the history of attempts to legalise voluntary euthanasia in New Zealand and overseas.

“The BSA found the item did not solely approach the issue of voluntary euthanasia from the personal perspective of the interviewee. It included a wider discussion of the voluntary euthanasia debate and law reform. This meant the broadcaster should have presented more than one side of the issue.” [Read more…]

Broadcasting Standards Authority upholds Complaint of Right to Life Against TVNZ Seven Sharp

by Leave a Comment

Right to life Media Release Monday 16th November 2015

Right to Life welcomes the decision of the Broadcasting Standards Authority [BSA] to uphold its complaint against the TV programme Seven Sharp. The decision was given on 10 November 2015. The item featured the story of a terminally ill woman who is a longstanding campaigner for euthanasia. The item which screened on 16 February 2015, also included a history of the attempts to pass euthanasia legislation in New Zealand and overseas. The item did not include any information on the views of those opposed to euthanasia such as those being put forward by the medical profession, disability groups or palliative care specialists. [Read more…]

Scottish assisted suicide bill defeated

by Leave a Comment

A Bill proposing to introduce assisted suicide in Scotland has been defeated at Holyrood by 82 votes to 36.

The Bill, which was taken over by Patrick Harvey MSP following the death of Margo McDonald, had its first stage reading in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday (27th May).

The legislation purported to allow those over the age of 16 with terminal or life-shortening illnesses to end their lives with the assistance of another person, known as a “licensed facilitator.”……………….

Strong opposition

The Bill was also opposed strongly by disability groups representing young children and dementia patients, as well as doctors, the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, the Faculty of Advocates and the Equality and Human Rights Commission:

Full Story published 29/05/15

http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/end-of-life/scottish-assisted-suicide-bill-defeated

Call to review teen abortion law

by Leave a Comment

Parents should be involved in the abortion decision, rather than giving all girls, no matter what their age, the right to consent, says Otago University masters law student Michael Morrison.

Young pregnant teens don’t have the mental maturity to understand the implications of an abortion, new research suggests.

Parents should be involved in the abortion decision, rather than giving all girls, no matter what their age, the right to consent, Otago University masters law student Michael Morrison said.

The current “clumsy” legislation that allows teens to chose to have an abortion without their parent’s permission is outdated and should be repealed, he said.

“We’re relying on an ancient piece of legislation.”

Morrison’s law and ethics essay, which argues this case, has won second place in an international academic writing competition.

The paper has been published in the latest edition of the Asian Bioethics Review.

Full story.

By Marika Hill Published 26/04/15

See: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/68052527/call-to-review-teen-abortion-law

The lessons of the Kermit Gosnell verdict – by Justin Dyer

by Leave a Comment

Justin Dyer, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Missouri in Columbia, wrote in The Kansas City Star special report:

“After the sensational murder trial of Pennsylvania abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell, a curious thing happened to American public opinion: nothing at all. According to a new Gallop poll, Americans remain divided into the same basic camps with respect to abortion rights.

“Gosnell’s crimes — which include killing three post-birth infants and negligently administering a lethal dose of Demerol to a 41-year-old Nepali refugee — had no effect on Gallup’s poll numbers, which have remained constant since the 1970s. Given the case’s sordid and heart-wrenching details, Gallup’s seeming non-story (“public opinion same as always”) is significant.”

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/05/17/4242286/the-lessons-of-the-kermit-gosnell.html#storylink=cpy
Source:
The Lessons of the Kermit Gosnell verdict
Kansas City Star. 17 May 2013