NUJ reiterates reporting guidance on assisted dying

  • 10 Sep 2026

Delegates at the NUJ’s 2025 conference passed a resolution to produce guidance to support members with reporting on legislation in connection with assisted dying.

Lauren Edwards MP is re-introducing the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in the House of Commons. The second reading of the bill takes place on Friday 11 September and should determine if the bill progresses through parliament.

The previous iteration of the bill, which was brought forward by Kim Leadbetter MP, had its third reading on 20 June 2025, where it was narrowly voted to the next stage by 23 votes. However the bill ran out of time at the end of the 2024-26 parliamentary session before the final vote, and fell.

Both attempts to legalise assisted dying at Westminster have been via Private Members’ Bills. This fails to meet public consultation requirements, and there is significantly less time for politicians to debate and scrutinise the legislation. Powers under the Parliament Act mean that if an identical bill is voted through the House of Commons in two consecutive parliamentary sessions, then the House of Lords cannot block it a second time. 

In Scotland the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill fell on 17 March 2026. MSPs voted 69 against and 57 in favour (with one abstention) at the third stage, defeating the legislation. The bill fell due to concerns regarding coercion and lack of safeguarding.

In 2024 the Irish Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality re-examined the issue of assisted dying, with a report recommending decriminalisation of assisted suicide. The Assisted Dying Bill 2024 lapsed with the dissolution of the Dáil. There are no plans to change the law on assisted dying in Northern Ireland.

Assisted dying legislation exists in a number of countries around the world. The definition of terminal illness varies between jurisdictions, with the Westminster legislation based on a 6-month prognosis of Terminal Illness. There are also differences in the level of safeguards incorporated.

Reporting

This is a highly emotive and nuanced issue to report on. The NUJ encourages journalists to scrutinise the legislation itself.

The principle or ‘moral case’ for or against assisted dying does not exist in a vacuum and we encourage journalists to understand the content of the legislation and wider social issues that affect disabled people’s lives.

Future attempts to amend or expand the legislation also require close and fair scrutiny.

When reporting, seek to:

  • Include a range of voices of those directly affected by the legislation, especially disabled people, and recognise that no individual can represent an entire and diverse group. Acknowledge complexity and nuance in individuals’ experiences and views.
  • Be aware of different ethical and legal nuances, especially across the UK. Avoid sensationalising stories or headlines. See the NUJ Code of Conduct, which advises members, and other journalists, on how to carry out their work ethically.
  • Be mindful of balancing the views of campaign groups and representative organisations.

Framing narratives:

  • Balanced against the argument for choice over how to die is the need for support to live well and to be protected from coercion.
  • Recognise that assisted dying legislation is being debated at a time when welfare cuts are progressing and negative portrayals about disabled people are problematic. See an NUJ statement on this issue. This can reduce agency and increase dependency and external pressure on people to choose assisted dying.
  • Understand the Social Model of Disability, which is a framework for understanding and expressing the barriers disabled people face in their daily lives. It places a collective responsibility on society to support disabled people’s access and inclusion.

It can be easy to make judgments and assumptions about the value and quality of life of disabled people and people living with terminal illness. It is vital to recognise the important roles and value that disabled people bring to their families, friends and communities.

Disabled people’s lives can be rich and meaningful with the right support and information, and we encourage journalists to challenge negative societal attitudes when reporting on assisted dying.

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