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NEW YORK, Nov 23 (LSN)  Pro-life groups and even much of the secular media have condemned CBS and its “60 Minutes” program for airing a murder by Jack Kevorkian as a desperate and unprincipled ratings grab. “The decision by 60 Minutes to air a Kevorkian-produced ‘snuff film’ during sweeps week marks a new low in American journalism,” said Rita Marker, Executive Director of the International Anti-Euthanasia Task Force (IAETF). “Even worse,” said Marker, “is the message the program sent to despairing, disabled or dying people – that their killing is acceptable and that their dying can be a matter of television entertainment.”  The video showed Kevorkian commit a premeditated murder, administering a lethal injection to Thomas Youk, a Lou Gehrig’s disease patient. According to the IAETF,  CBS withheld the video from police for two weeks “thus concealing a crime and perhaps impeding a criminal investigation.” The video garnered free publicity and propaganda for Kevorkian and boosted CBS ratings to 24 million viewers on the last Sunday of broadcasting’s November ‘sweeps’ period, wherein, according to the Associated Press,  “TV ratings are watched closely to set local advertising rates.”

Kevorkian, who now boasts over 130 assisted suicides and one direct euthanasia,  challenged authorities to arrest him and vowed to starve himself to death in jail.  Authorities are debating how to proceed. In response, Judie Brown, President of American Life League said “Regardless of Kevorkian’s grandstanding, prosecutors must act. A crime was committed, and justice demands that Kevorkian be charged. Otherwise,  his wave of death will only continue.”  To express your views to CBS:  CBS 7800 Beverly Blvd.  Los Angeles, CA 90036 1-212-975-3247