TV Bureau of Canada Bans Euthanasia TVC

After initially approving the script of a controversial Australian TV commercial due to be screened in Canada, the industry’s self-regulatory body TVB Canada has bowed to pressure and refused to provide approval for the TVC, thereby prohibiting its airing on Canadian TV.

In an email dated 25 September 2010 to the advertisement’s sponsor, pro-end of life choices campaigner, and Director of Exit International Dr Philip Nitschke, Telecaster Services wrote: “we have received a great volume of e-mails threatening, pleading and warning us not to approve your commercial, as doing so would be a violation of the Canadian Criminal Code”.

The email continues:
“Please note that having the organization name “Exit International” or it’s logo or it’s url/web address is not acceptable … as it could direct viewers to the web to find out more and this would result in the viewer finding out that the organization provides seminars and information that promote, educate and counsel individuals on how to commit suicide.”

Dr Nitschke said he was concerned that the TVB has so readily bowed to the pressure of opposition groups

The TVC in question simply 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 is as much concerned with law reform as providing the elderly and seriously ill with information about their end of life choices.

Dr Nitschke maintains that access to accurate, reliable end of life choices information is empowering. Far from breaking the Canadian Criminal Code, access to the best information stops those in need asking husbands, wives, sons and daughters to break the law for them.

“It may be a paradox but with knowledge of their options, our members stop worrying and get on with living happier and longer lives knowing they are back in control.”

An Australian version of the TVC was also banned in Australia earlier this month.
The banned Canadian version of the ad is now running on YouTube

Dr Philip Nitschke will be holding Safe Exit Workshops in Vancouver & Toronto on 7 & 13 October where he will discuss practical end-of-life strategies.