"To die peacefully without pain...I want the right to have that choice!" : discursive constructions of euthanasia in the Aotearoa New Zealand media : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology (with an endorsement in Health Psychology) at Massey University, (Distance), Aotearoa, New Zealand
Loading...
Date
2019
DOI
Open Access Location
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Massey University
Rights
The Author
Abstract
This paper drew on Foucauldian understandings to analyse and critique the construction of
euthanasia in the mainstream Aotearoa New Zealand media and what the media portrayal of
euthanasia made possible for people to think, feel and do. The analysis involved a review of
45 articles published in early 2018 and the responses to a subset of 6 articles that were made
open for reader comments. Analysis identified dominant discursive formations related to a
particularly Western and individualised notion of ‘autonomy’. Euthanasia was represented as
‘right’ and much needed ‘choice’ to alleviate fear of future pain and suffering and fear of
dependence on others. People and institutions supporting euthanasia were portrayed as heroes
and martyrs and those against as villains. A terminal condition was not a prerequisite to
legitimate euthanasia in the media. Resistance to the dominant formations rested on
understandings that positioned euthanasia as dangerous for society and a not a real choice when
people do not have equitable access to choices in life; and unnecessary if people could access
palliative healthcare. Absent was any consideration of non-Western understandings of death
and dying, and religious and spiritual understandings of dying were marginalised. These
conclusions suggest diverse socio-cultural understandings of euthanasia are lacking in the
media, and as such, future euthanasia legislation could be harmful to non-dominant cultures
and groups living in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Description
Keywords
Euthanasia, Press coverage, Social aspects, New Zealand