Complete madness

Over the years I've met many Catholics, especially families, who don't have a television. The reason why is that they don't want to expose their children (or themselves)to the drivel that is on the box these days - violence, sex and general trash. They refuse to pay their licence fee because they are so disgusted about the content and the anti-Catholic bias of most if not all mainstream broadcasters. They are worried about the messages broadcasters are trying to put forward, particularly to their kids. I've always been impressed with families that, if you like, boycott TV. But I've always been of the opinion that television is a most informative and entertaining medium at the right times and have always thought I wouldn't deprive any children I may or may not have in the future of controlled access to a TV. In light of concerning news over the last couple of days, I think my opinion may be changing.

With still a few minutes to go until the end of the marvellous feast day of the Annunciation when God became an embryo in the womb of Mary, the latest attack on the unborn had been announced. The proposals by the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) would allow abortion providers to advertise their services on TV. It's the latest obscene idea to supposedly help our deluded Government cut teenage pregnancy rates. Instead, this is nothing short of an attack on the innocence of childhood.

Since 1990, from both Tory and Labour governments, we've had a continuation of the same policy of more sex education and greater availability of contraception (including abortifacients) available free to kids as young as 11 at school without the need for parental consent. We've seen every effort to basically chuck condoms at youngsters like sweets in an effort to supposedly reduce unwanted pregnancies. And the results? Levels of teenage pregnancies have stayed about the same, if not increased, and sexually transmitted infections have rocketed.

The present Government's target to halve the number of under-18 conceptions is a miserable failure. And their answer? More provision for contraceptive and abortion services. It doesn't make sense. In reality it makes the Government look dumb - which is exactly what it is. They point blank refuse to even try to look into trialing abstinence education that has been so successful in parts of America. I expect the Government will be keen on BCAP's advice.

In this recent development, we have to remember that many "sexual healthcare services" like Marie Stopes and BPAS are businesses. They have a financial interest in killing unborn children. Will this change in policy apply to pro-life organisations that help women through crisis pregnancies? I suspect not. Through this advertising, abortion providers will exploit vulnerable children and put them in a comfort zone by making them think: "It's okay, if I get pregnant I'll just go to the clinic and get rid of it."

The dangerous suggestion of such adverts on TV comes on the same day that we hear of the terrible story of schoolgirl Alesha Thomas who died after having an abortion at Marie Stopes in Leeds. The clinic didn't give her the antibiotics prescribed to her. She died of a toxic shock syndrome five days after the procedure. Recording a narrative verdict at the inquest into her death Coroner Roger Whittaker hit out at Marie Stopes saying: "There was no system in place for the review after the visiting clinician had left and I believe there should have been."

I've already attacked horrible condom adverts promoting promiscuity more than anything on the TV and the radio. I suspect the allowing of abortion providers to advertise would lead many more Catholics to ditch their TVs.

Apparently there's a consultation on this plan that doesn't close until June. Once I find out how you put forward submissions I'll post the details. Lets bombard them with constructive, intelligent letters arguing that this move would be complete madness.