Sir, - You report that RTE has refused a Youth Defence advertisement depicting a child with the caption "Kill her now and it's murder. Kill her before birth and it's abortion", on the grounds that the material has a political or religious direction (August 13th). There is no evidence of disagreement amongst Irish people that the direct intentional killing of a child after birth is indeed murder.
Opinion is divided on the question of abortion. While Youth Defence seeks a judicial review to overturn the decision, surely it would be possible for RTE to screen, without commentary (in order to avoid any suggestion of political or religious direction), the range of abortions currently available (in other jurisdictions) to women? This non directive information would assist people in arriving at a more informed opinion. - Yours, etc,
Pairc Oakley, Cluain Tarbh, Baile Atha Cliath 3.