The ABC has firmly rejected explosive allegations that crucial discussions about voluntary assisted dying were removed from James Valentine's emotional final episode of Australian Story at the eleventh hour.
Monday night's program chronicled the beloved radio presenter's final year before he passed away at his Sydney home at the age of 64, utilising voluntary assisted dying (VAD) following a two-year battle with oesophageal cancer.
However, viewers questioned why euthanasia was only addressed in the final moments of the episode, despite ABC promotions prior to the broadcast showing Valentine speaking candidly about his decision to end his life. The show instead concentrated on Valentine's last 12 months as he endeavoured to 'live gratefully', featuring interviews with his wife, two children, friends, colleagues, and the doctors who treated him throughout his illness.
Claims subsequently emerged online suggesting that the broadcaster's legal team had raised concerns that the original version might have crossed into 'promotion', prompting 'abrupt' last-minute edits due to the complexities surrounding euthanasia laws.
When contacted by Daily Mail, the ABC issued a strong denial. 'This information is not correct, and there were no last minute legal issues or abrupt editing,' the statement read.
Musician Leyne Elbourne was among the first to publicly allege that the episode had been edited by the ABC. 'What the hell happened to the VAD-related content?' Elbourne wrote. 'To me, it looks like the episode was edited/recut to remove greater detail. Why? Legal issues? Pressure from Christian fundamentalists or politicians?'
'Only in the last three mins he talks about the option of VAD, and why it is a comfort, but it doesn't include him saying that he has chosen to use it - then not long after, it switches abruptly to a screen with his date of birth and date of death and the episode ends. There is not even info or a link to more info on VAD.'
'In ABC promotions and online reels there is video of him talking about choosing VAD, and why he has made that choice. That footage was shot during the same filming ... but it is not IN the episode.'
VAD is currently legal in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia, with strict eligibility criteria that vary between states. These state-based laws also intersect with federal legislation that prohibits inciting or promoting suicide, which restricts how the media can report on VAD.
Nevertheless, Go Gentle Australia, an organisation founded in 2016 by broadcaster Andrew Denton to advocate for end-of-life choices, praised the ABC's handling of Valentine's death. Chief executive Dr Linda Swan told Daily Mail: 'The ABC, over its myriad platforms, robustly engaged with the VAD issue and were incredibly respectful of the Valentine family's wishes.'
'James Valentine and his family have done more to raise awareness about the legal choice of VAD than almost anyone in recent years, and we are incredibly grateful to them for talking openly and honestly about choice at the end of life.'
'James well understood that an outdated and mystifying stigma exists around VAD, which is often mirrored in mainstream media's approach to the issue. It is mystifying because all of us, one day, will die.'
'The incredibly public response to James' candour and grace in the face of his own mortality demonstrates that Australians welcome open and honest conversations about VAD, and we encourage all media to not shy away from these discussions.'
Valentine was best known for presenting the Afternoons show on ABC Radio Sydney for more than two decades. He told Australian Story that the 'confronting' idea of VAD required little deliberation. 'There is great relief in knowing that if things get too bad, that you can stop it, and that's as much for Joanne (his wife) and the kids as it is for me,' he said.
'It's very reassuring to know that it is there to cut out the suffering at the end - that's a civilised process to have.' Valentine acknowledged moments of grief, sadness, and despair throughout his journey. 'But how do you come through that to be largely living in a way that's more accepting?' he pondered.
'I really hate the Dylan Thomas poem Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night. How about you go gentle into that good night? What's with the rage? What's with the anger? We all die. I just have to know that mine's coming.'
