Friday's CBS Evening News gave a one-sided preview of a euthanasia segment on an upcoming episode of 60 Minutes. The nearly two-minute long segment from Dr. Jon LaPook featured two of the most prominent supporters of euthanasia proponent Brittany Maynard — her husband, Dan Diaz, and the doctor who prescribed the lethal drugs she used to kill herself in November 2014. Scott Pelley noted that Dr. LaPook's 60 Minutes report would feature "the opponents of physician-assisted suicide," but failed to include soundbites from these opponents during the preview on the evening newscast. [video below]
Pelley introduced the snippet from Dr. Lapook's report by spotlighting that "Maynard became a symbol for those who believe that the terminally-ill should control how they die. She had brain cancer; and, in 2014, took her own life at the age of 29." The physician/correspondent summarized that "Brittany's tumor kept growing; invading her brain; and causing seizures so violent, they left her unable to speak for hours. So, on November 1, 2014, she posted this photo on Facebook, said good-bye, and drank the five ounces that would end her life."
After playing a clip from his interview from Diaz, who revealed his wife's last moments as she took the five ounces of barbituates, LaPook played up that "Diaz has kept in touch with Dr. Eric Walsh, the Oregon physician who prescribed the medication." Doctor Walsh gave his pro-euthanasia talking points: "When somebody's facing the end of their life, shouldn't they be in control? Shouldn't I be able to help them when they're suffering, and the burden of living becomes intolerable to them?"
This isn't the first time that CBS has slanted towards euthanasia advocates. Two days after Maynard killed herself, CBS This Morning anchor Gayle King hailed the cancer patient as a "beautiful, brave young woman." Later that month, the morning show touted how Maynard's mother, Deborah Ziegler, responded to criticism from the Catholic Church in a "strongly-worded letter" online.
The full transcript of the preview segment from CBS Evening News on March 11, 2016:
SCOTT PELLEY: Brittany Maynard became a symbol for those who believe that the terminally-ill should control how they die. She had brain cancer; and, in 2014, took her own life at the age of 29.
Well, Sunday, on 60 Minutes, Dr. Jon LaPook will speak with Maynard's husband and the doctor who prescribed the lethal dose of barbiturates.
DR. JON LAPOOK (voice-over): Brittany's tumor kept growing; invading her brain; and causing seizures so violent, they left her unable to speak for hours. So, on November 1, 2014, she posted this photo on Facebook, said good-bye, and drank the five ounces that would end her life.
LAPOOK (off-camera): Do you mind sharing the last few moments you spent with her?
DAN DIAZ, BRITTANY MAYNARD'S HUSBAND: We were in the room — in our bedroom — and I was right next to her. There's no, like, dark cloud looming. It — the feeling is simply of love and support. Within five minutes, Brittany fell asleep — just like I've seen her do a thousand times before — very peacefully. Within 30 minutes, her breathing slowed to the point where she passed away.
LAPOOK (voice-over): Dan Diaz has kept in touch with Dr. Eric Walsh, the Oregon physician who prescribed the medication. Dr. Walsh couldn't talk about the specifics of Brittany's case due to patient privacy; but, for the first time, has agreed to discuss why he prescribed the medication to her, as well as to 19 others.
DR. ERIC WALSH: When somebody's facing the end of their life, shouldn't they be in control? Shouldn't I be able to help them when they're suffering, and the burden of living becomes intolerable to them?
PELLEY (live): Jon's report — and including what people have to say who are on the other side — the opponents of physician-assisted suicide — will air Sunday on 60 Minutes.
