Sky suicide TV show gets only 12 complaints and record audience

LONDON - The Sky documentary showing the assisted suicide of a terminally ill man reportedly received only 12 complaints following its broadcast and pulled in a record audience for the Sky Real Lives digital channel

The documentary, entitled 'Right to Die?', was screened on Sky Real Lives at 9pm on Wednesday. It featured Craig Ewart who was suffering from incurable motor neurone disease.

Ewart, an American resident in the UK, agreed to have his death and the four days leading up to it recorded by Canadian film director John Zaritsky.

He chose to travel to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland to end his life because suicide is illegal in Britain. 

The documentary was watched by 222,000 people, which was Sky Real Lives highest audience to date. Another 9,000 viewers tuned in when it was broadcast later that evening on Sky Real Lives +1. 

Groups opposed to suicide widely criticised the documentary before it went to air.

Following the programme viewers came out in support of the broadcast, posting positive comments on Sky Real Lives' website.

One viewer wrote: "I have just had the privilege to watch the wonderfully moving documentary about Craig Ewert's life and death.

"Why, oh why can't the so called 'do gooders' see that there is a definite need for a shift in opinion over a person's right to die?"

Another viewer said: "It was only after seeing the programme tonight that I realise the enormous amount of courage and understanding required to make such an extraordinary leap."

It was the first time an assisted suicide had been broadcast on British television. 

Media regulator Ofcom has not said whether it will launch an investigation into whether the documentary breached its broadcasting code.

An Ofcom spokesman said: "All UK broadcasters must adhere to the Broadcasting Code which sets standards for the content of TV programmes.

"The Code contains clear rules about the portrayal of self-harm and suicide in order to protect people from harm."

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