Euthanasia And The BBC

EDM number 1273 in 2002-03, proposed by Jim Dobbin on 21/05/2003.

That this House notes the persistent bias of BBC programmes supporting the legalisation of euthanasia; further notes reports from the Disability Rights Commission, Disability Awareness in Action and other bodies that increasing numbers of disabled and sick people are frightened to be admitted to hospital because of the euthanasia campaign; notes the failure of the BBC to interview the disabled or terminally ill unless they declare support for legalised euthanasia; further notes the complete failure of any BBC television or radio news programme to report a major survey of doctors which showed a considerable majority opposed assisted suicide and that almost three out of four would refuse to be involved if such practices were legalised; notes a story in BBC Online undermining the survey and quoting a pro-euthanasia claim that a number of surveys show a small majority of doctors supporting euthanasia; challenges BBC governors to cite such surveys; notes that one survey claiming doctors support euthanasia was conducted for the Voluntary Euthanasia Society and that no report has ever been produced by the internet company responsible for giving the number of doctors circulated, the response rate and other vital information showing the validity of the poll; notes the complete bias in the BBC News report on the tragedy of a mentally ill man who smothered his terminally ill parents, incorrectly claiming that he was discharged whereas he was placed under a two year community and rehabilitation order; and calls on the Government to require the BBC to show impartiality on all issues of public policy.

This motion has been signed by a total of 46 MPs.