Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

UK TV Broadcasts an Assisted Suicide

UK debates right to die after terminally ill patient euthanized

Share

(Newser) – A documentary that aired on Sky TV last night showed an assisted suicide, stirring up a major debate in Britain about the right to die and the responsibility of television programmers, the Independent reports. Craig Ewert, 59, who suffered from motor neuron disease, traveled to a Swiss clinic, drank a lethal cocktail, and died with his wife at his side. Assisted suicide is illegal in the UK, and PM Gordon Brown opposes it.

"I think it is very important that these issues are dealt with sensitively and without sensationalism and I hope broadcasters remember that they have a wider responsibility to the general public," said Brown. "We believe that there is a role for television to inform public debate about even the most challenging subjects," responded the head of the network.

Craig Ewert, 59, whose death in an assisted suicide in a Swiss clinic was broadcast on British television Wednesday Dec, 10, 2008.
Craig Ewert, 59, whose death in an assisted suicide in a Swiss clinic was broadcast on British television Wednesday Dec, 10, 2008.   (AP Photo/Sky Real Lives/PA)
Gordon Brown, the British prime minister, reiterated his opposition to euthanasia as a television station aired a documentary depicting an assisted suicide.
Gordon Brown, the British prime minister, reiterated his opposition to euthanasia as a television station aired a documentary depicting an assisted suicide.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
A clip from last night's documentary on British television depicting the assisted suicide of Craig Ewert, who suffered from motor neuron disease.   (briangsi)

View larger videos >>
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

I believe it is necessary to ensure there is never a case in this country where a sick or elderly person feels under pressure to agree to an assisted death or somehow feels it is the expected
thing to do. - Gordon Brown, British prime minister

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.6.09
Galleon Scandal: Shocked, Shocked by Insider Trading
11.5.09
Rupert Murdoch Is Mad but Cute
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

38 Stories

 Swiss Crack Down 
 on 'Suicide Tourism' 

Assisted suicides to be restricted to the terminally ill

Oct 29, 09 3:55 AM CDT
(Newser) - Swiss authorities are trying to cut back on the numbers of people swarming its borders with the intention of dying. The government plans to cut back or even ban assisted suicide amid concerns that too many people—some of them not suffering terminal illnesses—are traveling to Switzerland for assisted... More »

MORE ABOUT:
suicide • assisted suicide • Switzerland • euthanasia • Dignitas • terminal illness • Edward Downes • Joan Downes

Swiss Politicians Battle 'Suicide Tourism'

As Britain eases rules, Switzerland fears rush of ill bent on killing themselves

Sep 21, 09 5:10 AM CDT
(Newser) - Swiss politicians have stepped up efforts to battle "suicide tourism" as British officials prepare to announce new rules expected to make it easier for citizens to cross borders to die, reports the Independent. Some 115 Britons have died at assisted suicide operations run by Dignitas in Switzerland. Assisted suicide... More »

MORE ABOUT:
suicide • assisted suicide • Switzerland • Dignitas • multiple sclerosis • Britain • clinic

British MS
Victim Wins Key Right-to-Die Ruling

Court orders that current law be clarified

Jul 31, 09 7:12 AM CDT
(Newser) - A British woman has won her legal battle to force the government to clarify its law on assisted suicide, the Guardian reports. Multiple sclerosis sufferer Debbie Purdy, whose health is deteriorating, wants to travel to a Swiss euthanasia clinic to die when her condition becomes unbearable. Britain's highest court agreed... More »

MORE ABOUT:
assisted suicide • euthanasia • multiple sclerosis • Britain • right to die • Debbie Purdy

(Newser) - Some 800 Brits have signed up to commit suicide at a controversial Swiss clinic, reports the Guardian. The terminally ill patients have become members of Dignitas so they can travel to Zurich when the time comes to take a drug overdose. The number of British residents crossing the border for... More »

MORE ABOUT:
suicide • health • politics • assisted suicide • Switzerland • Dignitas • Zurich • Britain

UK Minister Denies He Bet Governing Party Would Falter

Lord West got 66-1 odds on Labour defeat

Apr 27, 09 2:17 PM CDT
(Newser) - Lord Alan West, the UK’s colorful security minister, today denied he’d bet on the Labour party’s defeat in the next election, the Times of London reports. The Telegraph yesterday alleged that West placed the bet when Gordon Brown succeeded Tony Blair as prime minister, grabbing 66-1 odds.... More »

MORE ABOUT:
United Kingdom • gambling • Gordon Brown • Labour • Britain • ABBA • Lord West

38 Stories


The divide between the letter of the law and the public interest
New York Times

TV review: ready for the close-up
Times (UK)

Viewers largely applaud treatment of assisted suicide
Daily Mail (UK)


World  •  Media 
TwitterFollow @NewserWorld on Twitter

 
television • United Kingdom • Gordon Brown • assisted suicide • euthanasia • Dignitas • documentary • Britain • Bill Maher Grid

from our news partners