The ABC has denied explosive claims key discussions about assisted dying were edited out of James Valentine’s emotional final episode of Australian Story at the last minute.
Monday night’s program followed the beloved radio presenter’s final year before he died at his Sydney home, aged 64, using voluntary assisted dying (VAD) after a two-year cancer battle.
But viewers questioned why euthanasia was only addressed in the final minutes of the episode, despite ABC promotions before the broadcast showing Valentine speaking openly about why he had chosen to end his life.
Instead, the show focused on the final 12 months of Valentine’s life as he tried to ‘live gratefully’, featuring interviews with Valentine, his wife and two children, friends, colleagues and the doctors who treated him throughout his battle with Oesophageal cancer.
Claims later circulated online alleging that the broadcaster’s legal team raised concerns the original version may have crossed the line into 'promotion', triggering 'abrupt' last-minute edits because of the complexities surrounding euthanasia laws.
The ABC issued a firm denial when contacted by Daily Mail.
'This information is not correct, and there were no last minute legal issues or abrupt editing,' it said.
Musician Leyne Elbourne was among the first to publicly raise claims the episode had been edited by the ABC.
Late ABC star James Valentine (pictured) opened up about voluntary assisted dying on Monday night's episode of Australian Story. But not all Aussies were happy with the episode
The much-loved ABC presenter (pictured with wife Joanne and children Rory and Ruby) passed away last month using voluntary assisted dying following a two-year cancer battle
'What the hell happened to the VAD-related content?
'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 available in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.
There are strict rules about who can access VAD, which vary between the states.
The state-based laws also overlap with federal legislation that makes it illegal to incite or promote suicide, restricting how the media can report on VAD.
However, Go Gentle Australia, established in 2016 by broadcaster Andrew Denton to advocate for end-of-life choices, praised the ABC’s handling of Valentine’s death.
'What the hell happened to the VAD-related content?' Leyne Elbourne wrote, sparking a divided response
Broadcaster and Go Gentle Australia founder Andrew Denton
'The ABC, over its myriad platforms, robustly engaged with the VAD issue and were incredibly respectful of the Valentine family's wishes,' chief executive Dr Linda Swan told Daily Mail.
'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 20 years.
He told Australian Story the 'confronting' idea of VAD took little thought.
'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 admitted there had been grief, sadness and despair at various points.
'But how do you come through that to be largely living in a way that's more accepting?' he said.
'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.'