PA
The BBC is to broadcast a radio show live from an abortion clinic.
The ground-breaking transmission will air for two hours from the as yet unnamed clinic, and hopes to speak to patients and staff throughout the show.
It will be hosted by BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Victoria Derbyshire, who will reportedly interview women about to undergo terminations, as well as doctors and other medical staff.
The Independent reports that the show is likely to 'attract controversy' because of 'the polarising nature of the subject matter' and 'the fact that the Department of Health is investigating issues highlighted by undercover newspaper reporters who recently filmed doctors agreeing to carry out terminations apparently on the basis of the gender of the unborn babies'.
Victoria Derbyshire told the Independent: "We have asked an abortion clinic for permission to broadcast and they have agreed. We appreciate the sensitivity around it and I would hope listeners would trust us to do it carefully."
She added that the unprecedented programme would give an 'insight into an area of British life which is taboo'.
She said the BBC decided to make the programme after abortion clinics came under fire following reporters from the Daily Telegraph filming doctors agreeing to terminate pregnancies just because the mothers did not want a baby of a particular gender. Victoria said: "[The clinics] were all very nervous because of that undercover investigation. We have visited the clinic and explained exactly what we wanted to do."
She said the purpose of the programme was not to air pro-choice or pro-life arguments but to 'bring new insights into areas of British life.'
"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 said.
What do you think? Going too far, or an interesting topic for a radio programme to cover, and something which should not be shrouded in secrecy or mystery?