Banned Australian Euthanasia Ads Approved to Screen on Canadian TV
‘Choices’ Ad- Australian Version
In a welcome change of heart for a TV regulatory body, the Television Bureau of Canada (TVB) yesterday approved the script of the pro-euthanasia advertisement ‘Exit Choices’ for screening on TV in Canada. The ads have been scheduled to run to coincide with the 'Safe Suicide Workshop' Tour of Canada by Exit International Director Dr Philip Nitschke.
The approval comes in the wake of the refusal last week by Australia’s regulatory body, Free TV Australia, to grant permission for the controversial ad to run on Australian TV.
Citing the Australian Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice, Free TV Australia alleged the advertisement provides “a realistic depiction of methods of suicide, or promotion or encouragement of suicide is material that will invariably be unsuitable for television.
"We have considered that an advertisement for Voluntary Euthanasia is a promotion or encouragement of suicide as Voluntary Euthanasia would be considered to be a subset of suicide” wrote Free TV Australia legal counsel, Alison Lee on 10 September.
The advertisement was made by Sydney ad agency, The Works, for the pro-choice assisted suicide group, Exit International.
The advertisement depicts an actor posing as a terminally ill man, reflecting on the choices he has made throughout his life and asking the government to listen to him in regard to his final choice of when to die. Exit International director, Dr Philip Nitschke, said he was astounded by the banning of the ad in Australia.
"With no Charter of Human Rights we are incredibly stymied in Australia when it comes to free speech. The banning of the ad shows the power of the suicide prevention movement as now one cannot even discuss voluntary euthanasia law reform without fear of someone deciding to suicide out of the blue.
“In Canada, luckily, there are free speech protections. In approving the ad the TVB is showing how enlightened Canadians are when it comes to sensible public debate on Assisted Suicide. In screening the ad in Canada we hope to contribute to public debate in a way that makes politicians see how absolutely necessary Assisted Suicide law reform is looking forward.
"My experience with Assisted Suicide law in Australia is that it can work and work well, when there is political will."
Dr Philip Nitschke will be holding Safe Suicide Workshops in Vancouver & Toronto on 7 & 13 October
At these workshops practical end-of-life methods will be described, and information on lethal drugs and other techniques provided. Safe Suicide workshops are restricted to people who are ill or over 50y of age.
* In 1996, Philip Nitschke became the first physician in the world to administer a legal, lethal voluntary injection to four of his patients under Australia’s Rights of the Terminally Ill Act. The law lasted 9 months before being overturned by a conscience vote in the Australian Parliament.
AAP report on the euthanasia ad ban in Australia can be found at: http://bit.ly/cNG65p
The banned ad can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRDZFwlWU1s
END….. 20 Sept 2010