SPUC reports that a disabled man who appeared on television in New Zealand saying that he wanted his ventilator turned off so that he could die has since changed his mind and now wants to “give life a go”. Brian Park, aged 32, was left unable to move his arms or legs or breathe unaided as a result of a truck accident earlier this year, and made his plea to be allowed to die during the visit to his country of Dr Nitschke, the Australian euthanasia campaigner. Mr. Park’s condition has now improved so that he might be able to operate an electric wheelchair using a voice-activated computer. [Humanity, New Zealand, July 2000]
A joint statement by the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry declares that violence in television, music, video games and movies increases violence among children. “Its effects are measurable and long-lasting,” the four groups say in a statement. “Moreover, prolonged viewing of media violence can lead to emotional desensitization toward violence in real life.”
A pro-family victory is hoped for as AT&T has temporarily decided to shelve a decision to broadcast a pornography channel. The move comes after a pro-family campaign led by the American Family Association asked the telecommunications giant to get out of the porn business.