BBC to broadcast live programme from abortion clinic

The BBC will make broadcasting history by airing a two-hour live radio show from an abortion clinic

The BBC will air a live programme from an abortion clinic featuring interviews with doctors, counsellors and women undergoing terminations.

Amid the recent controversy surround abortion, pro-life campaigners have condemned the move as amounting to free advertising but pro-choice advocates welcomed the chance for abortion to be presented on a level playing field.

The radio shows presenter, Victoria Derbyshire, says it will give people an insight into an area of British life which is taboo.

'What we want to do is talk to everybody involved who works in a clinic - the receptionist, the doctors, the consultants, the counsellors and if patients agree, we will talk to them,' she says.

'We appreciate the sensitivity around it and I would hope listeners would trust us to do it carefully.'

Darinka Aleksic, campaign coordinator for Abortion Rights explained she was glad to see the subject not couched in controversy for once.

'There is so much scaremongering and misinformation about abortion, in the media and especially online, that any move to destigmatise the procedure is a step forward.'

A BBC spokesman insists the programme will be robust and challenging and will offer the opportunity for both sides to discuss their views.

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