Talking Points 29th October

Should someone be charged for helping a relative to commit suicide? A woman in Britain wants to clear up the law about whether her husband could be jailed for helping her to die.

On air: Is it funny to be offensive?

The BBC has received more than 1500 complaints after two of it’s top paid radio presenters, Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross, left prank phone messages on the ansaphone of a guest who was meant to be on the show. They called veteran actor Andrew Sachs and claimed that Brand had slept with his granddaughter. The presenters also joked that the actor might kill himself as a result. Both have since apologised.

But is that enough? Did they step over the mark, or is comedy about challenging what is considered acceptable?