Summary of complaint
We received complaints that our reporting was biased in favour of assisted dying
Our response
We reported on the Committee鈥檚 findings.听It urged the government to take an active role in debating the issue, given that Isle of Man and Jersey could legalise assisted dying in the future.听 Also, it has been 10 years since there was a free vote.
Our coverage highlighted the report鈥檚 findings that more countries in Europe and 10 states in the US have legalised assisted dying in some form.听 And it found no evidence that palliative end of life care had deteriorated as a result, in fact in some instances it has improved.
We heard from Steve Brine MP, Chair Health and Social Care Committee.听 He said: 鈥渢he trend is very clear鈥 and that dependencies or devolved nations will enable assisted dying within the next few years.
We heard from those who are against assisted dying:听 Dr David Randall said that a change in the law could distort the priority of care.听听 Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, said: 鈥We need to look at how we support people through end of life, not look at ways to get rid of people鈥.
We also heard from Dame Esther Rantzen who has stage 4 lung cancer and is in favour of assisted dying.听 She said it should be their choice.听
We concluded our coverage saying that campaigners for assisted dying are hoping that a new intake of MPs will rule in their favour. Also, that MPs want a national strategy for death literacy and support following a terminal diagnosis 鈥 to help improve understanding of end of life care.
We believe our coverage was fair and reported on the Committee鈥檚 findings.听 It also highlighted the views of听those who are for and against assisted dying.
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