Abortion Rights Chair Ann Henderson said:
Abortion Rights would welcome the ability for broadcasters to provide clear, accurate information about access to sexual health, contraception and abortion on television and radio.

Abortion Rights believes that choice on abortion is crucial for women's health and equality and that people should have the widest possible access to information on contraception, abortion and reproductive rights. Abortion is safe and legal and an overwhelming three quarters of people in Britain support a woman's right to choose.

The proposals are informed by the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and are made in the context of the high rate of unplanned teenage pregnancy, and growing concerns about the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. They are also informed by the recommendations of the All Party Science and Technology Committee which highlighted the problems of widespread misinformation from anti-abortion sources causing great distress and delays to women seeking information and services. The proposals would require those who purport to offer pregnancy advisory services to make clear if in fact they do not refer women for abortion.

Those who have opposed these simple, common sense proposals to allow information dissemination are a small ideologically-driven minority who wish to restrict women's choices and would risk the continuing spread of avoidable and harmful sexually transmitted diseases.

We support measures, which promote women's choices.

For interviews, case studies or further comment please contact Ann Henderson, Abortion Rights chair on 07875 208 167

Notes to editors

1) Abortion Rights is the national pro-choice campaign, working to defend and extend abortion rights and provide a pro-choice voice to the media. We are supported by the TUC, National Union of Students and work closely with the All Party Parliamentary Pro-choice and Sexual Health Group.

2) http://www.cap.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/2B2803C9-AC10-4EC8-9864-FB17A057D978/0/BCAPConsultationdocumentandAnnex1.pdf