Terri Schiavo saga defies an easy label

By ERIC DEGGANS

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 28, 2001

In the case of Terri Schiavo, the Pinellas County woman who has been in a vegetative state for 11 years, even language is controversial.

The biggest question: Is it a "right to live" case or a "right to die" case?

If you've watched or read news reports on Michael Schiavo's legal battle to end the feeding of his wife, Terri, over the objections of her parents, you've seen both approaches.

WFLA-Ch. 8, WTVT-Ch. 13, WFTS-Ch. 28, the Tampa Tribune and the St. Petersburg Times have all called it a "right to die" case, referencing a social movement centered on euthanasia issues.

Local cable newschannel Bay News 9 has called it a "right to live" controversy in past headlines. News director Rod Fowler declined to comment on why the newschannel used that terminology.

Now many media outlets are concerned that using either "right to live" or "right to die" in describing the Schiavo case may be too pejorative.

"If we say "right to die,' it seems we're taking the side of the husband; if we say "right to live,' we're taking the side of the family," said Fowler, who has removed both references from Bay News 9 reports. "CNN's in town and this is becoming a national story. We have to be careful."

WFLA and WTVT have also stopped using both terms, due to similar concerns. WFTS will keep using "right to die," says assistant news director Dave Ciliberti, because Michael Schiavo says he is pursuing his wife's right to die.

"We are trying to be as objective as we can," Ciliberti added. "(But) he is the one who is bringing this on."

The Times' internal guide to official word usage and style prohibits use of the terms "pro-choice" and "pro-life" in stories about abortion, unless quoting someone else's position. But there is no official policy on "right to die" or "right to live," and the phrases have appeared in the Times' coverage.

"I would avoid using either term myself," said Times editor Paul Tash. "Precision is always best."

Aly Colon, an instructor at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies in St. Petersburg (which owns the Times), agreed. "It implies there's a particular way to see this issue and discounts other ways."

On the airwaves

As the Schiavo case twists and turns, local radio has taken on some unusual roles.

Michael Schiavo's ex-girlfriend Cyndi Shook called WMTX-FM 100.7 (Mix) Monday night to criticize him. On Tuesday, Michael Schiavo called the MJ Morning Show on WFLZ-FM 93.3, because "he felt his voice had not been heard," said host MJ Kelli. On Friday, Schiavo agreed to Kelly's request to visit Mrs. Schiavo and tell his listeners about the experience.

WFLA-AM 970 afternoon talk show host Glenn Beck has taken on the case as his "moral obligation."

After talking to a caller last Friday, Beck reversed his earlier position and declared that she should not have her feeding tube removed.

"The caller asked me to justify the difference between euthanizing a newborn who was severely handicapped and Terri. I was so wrapped up in "I wouldn't want to live like that,' but I hadn't done enough thought, research and prayer on the way we now define life support," he said.

"I am so overwhelmed with guilt for not being there earlier."

Beck left the studio to broadcast his show on Thursday from a spot near the nursing home where Terri Schiavo lives.

"If there's a chance public opinion can play any role in saving her, we're on the case," he said.

- Times staff writer Pamela Davis contributed to this report

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