Category Archives: media issues

Arizona Daily Star Romanticizes the Suicide of a Disabled Woman in a “Tribute”

euthanasia, media coverage, media issues, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check, suicide, suicide prevention

Well, now that National Suicide Prevention Week is over, I guess the field is wide-open when it comes to romanticizing the suicides of people with disabilities in the popular press. Scary thought. Just when I get to the point where I think I’ve seen everything in terms of sensationalized coverage that condones and sympathizes with … Continue reading Arizona Daily Star Romanticizes the Suicide of a Disabled Woman in a “Tribute” →

Oklahoma: Reporter labels an attempted murder as “failed mercy killing”

homicide, Homicide / 'Mercy Killing', media coverage, media issues, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check

I don’t know if there are any journalistic guidelines for using the term “mercy killing” or if reporters just make it up as they go along. A story out today marks one of the more outlandish uses of the term that I’ve seen in the press. Writing on Newsok.com, the website of the Oklahoman, Nola … Continue reading Oklahoma: Reporter labels an attempted murder as “failed mercy killing” →

NY Times Quotes Diane Coleman – but without context

"end of life", advance directives, diane coleman, hospice, media coverage, media issues, Our News & Commentary Blog, palliative care

Today, the New York Times published a long story on hospice and palliative care, and how doctors struggle with balancing the transition from active treatment to palliative care in the final stages of terminal illnesses. Some of it is worked within the context of the current “debate” around advance directives in the health care reform … Continue reading NY Times Quotes Diane Coleman – but without context →

Peter Singer in NY Times Magazine: Disability Community Responds!

activism, advocacy, media coverage, media issues, Our News & Commentary Blog, Peter Singer, policy

Today, a letter has been sent out via postal mail to Gerald Marzoratti, Editor of the New York Times Magazine. The letter conveys complaints about the content of the magazine’s recent essay, “Why Must Ration Health Care,” which offers up people with disabilities as sacrifices in the efforts to rein in health care costs. The … Continue reading Peter Singer in NY Times Magazine: Disability Community Responds! →