Letter: Dangers of TV abortion veto

Sir: As someone who is totally committed to a woman's right to abortion, I find the idea that broadcasters can veto the Pro-Life Alliance election broadcast far more offensive than anything the transmission might contain. This veto sets a far-reaching precedent. Do we really want to encourage the ability of the media to decide for the electorate what those standing in the election can and cannot put forward as part of their case?

Those of us who are pro-choice have nothing to fear from the proposed footage anyway. Our case for legal abortion does not rest on whether the procedure is pleasant or unpleasant. Once termination of pregnancy is placed in the context of a choice between compelling a woman to carry to term a child she does not want to have or allowing her to end that pregnancy, the fact that the procedure, like any other operation, does not look nice, becomes unimportant.

ELLIE LEE

Pro-Choice Forum

Canterbury