Friday’s annual March of Life in Washington, D.C. was organized to celebrate the tragic 49th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, a decision that resulted in the unborn deaths of tens of million children across the U.S. On Saturday, NBC’s Today show gave a few seconds to the massive pro-life demonstration while spending the rest of its report on promoting Planned Parenthood’s efforts to sell abortion.
“This morning, we’re going In-Depth on the 49th anniversary of that historic Supreme Court decision, Roe vs. Wade, that gave women nationwide the right to have an abortion,” co-host Kristen Welker announced at the start of the Saturday segment. She noted: “With a Supreme Court decision over its fate looming, both advocates and opponents are preparing for a future without it now.”
Peter Alexander, a fellow co-host, briefly spoke about how “anti-abortion activists gathered in Washington, as they do each year, to protest Roe v. Wade,”Ali Vitali was the correspondent before Ali Vitali became concerned: “…the whole country is waiting for the Supreme Court to decide on one of the most serious challenges to abortion protections that it’s heard since the Roe vs. Wade decision nearly 50 years ago.”
The headline declares: “Abortion Providers Scrambling Ahead of SCOTUS Decision,” Vitali sympathetically bemoaned the plight of the nation’s largest abortion provider: “On what could be Roe’s final anniversary as the law of the land, Yamelsie Rodriguez is preparing for a future without it….This weekend, Planned Parenthood and their local partners are opening a new regional logistics center to ease that burden on patients, providing things like transportation, food, lodging, and cash assistance.”
Rodriguez was the Southwest Missouri CEO of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region.
Because we see it every day …., we know what the post-Roe reality is like. But we care about the poor and those who do not have enough money. How do I feed my family and pay rent? Or how can I afford to save money for abortion care?
Vitali was also involved in the hand-wringing “Her state is one of more than two dozen across the U.S. that have sought restrictions on abortion access, forcing patients to look elsewhere for care, oftentimes having to cross state lines to get it.”
Reporter: “Meanwhile, abortion opponents nationwide are gaining strength. In just the past year, they introduced nearly 600 abortion restrictions and were able to pass more than 90 into law.”But she assured viewers that pro-abortion views were safe: “To counter it, reproductive advocates are channeling their resources into the states, while the Supreme Court weighs whether or not to strike down or fundamentally alter the protections offered by Roe.”
Vitali cheered the efforts of Planned Parenthood CEO Alexis McGill Johnson when she spoke to her. “Is that what you guys are attempting to do then? You shore up the states where access is available to make up for the states where it’s not?”Johnson answered: “Yes, absolutely. Focusing on bolstering health care operations in regions that are going to be critical access points for patients.”
Vitlali eagerly added: “Reproductive groups are also focused on expanding access to telehealth medication abortion for pregnancies up to 10 weeks, another move to broaden access and limit the need for travel.”
Finally, the reporter mentioned March for Life. “Meantime Friday, anti-abortion activists took to the National Mall for the annual March for Life, hopeful that when they gather this time next year, Roe vs. Wade will have been overturned.” A soundbite also ran of Alliance Defending Freedom’s Kristen Waggoner telling pro-life demonstrators: “Pray as you’ve never prayed before that the Supreme Court will have the moral courage to do what is right.”
Vitali did not even attempt to speak to Waggoner, or any other march organizers. In fact, the report didn’t feature the reporter speaking to a single March for Life participant.
Instead, the reporter wrapped up the rather one-sided story and declared: “The high court’s verdict, expected to come next June, would impact nearly half of U.S. women of reproductive age, about 36 million. Another milestone for a divisive and emotional issue.”
The combined total air time of Alexander and Vitali’s mentions of the March for Life only amounted to a paltry 23 seconds – out of a report that was 3 minutes 39 seconds long.
In sharp contrast, reports on Friday’s CBS Evening News and ABC’s Good Morning AmericaOn Saturday, more attention was paid to the march. CBS gave the March for Life 1 minute, 5 second of coverage in a 2-minute 21-second report. Pro-abortion supporters only 35 seconds. ABC aired a report lasting 1 minute 56 seconds that highlighted the prolife demonstration, while pro-abortion activists were only given 13 seconds. Both reports included details on the Supreme Court decision and data from polling on the subject.
NBC stood out clearly as the biggest pro-abortion group tank as it tried unsuccessfully to expel thousands of prolifers from D.C. and instead chatting up Planned Parenthood shills.
This shameless pro-abortion push was brought to viewers by Campbell’s and Progressive. This is your chance to fight back against these advertisers by telling them what you think about their sponsorship of such content.
Here is a full transcript of the January 22 report on NBC’s Today show:
7:40 AM ET
KRISTEN WELKER: This morning, we’re going In-Depth on the 49th anniversary of that historic Supreme Court decision, Roe vs. Wade, that gave women nationwide the right to have an abortion. Both advocates and critics are working together to ensure that there is no Supreme Court ruling on its fate.
PETER ALEXANDER NBC’s Ali Vitali is here with more with what people on both sides of this issue are saying. Good morning Ali.
ALI VITALI: Good morning, guys. Peter and Kristen, the whole country is waiting for the Supreme Court to decide on one of the most serious challenges to abortion protections that it’s heard since the Roe vs. Wade decision nearly 50 years ago. Groups on both sides now look ahead to what the future holds.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Abortion Providers Scrambling Ahead of SCOTUS Decision]
VITALI: On what could be Roe’s final anniversary as the law of the land, Yamelsie Rodriguez is preparing for a future without it.
YAMELSIE RODRIGUEZ [PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF THE ST. LOUIS REGION AND SOUTHWEST MISSOURI CEO]: Because we experience it daily, we have a firsthand view of the post-Roe reality.
VITALI. Her state is just one of over two dozen that has sought to restrict abortion access. This forces patients to seek care elsewhere and often times must cross state boundaries to obtain it. That means thousands of Missourian women have to go to Illinois for care. There are also growing logistical issues.
RODRIGUEZ – People with the financial means will continue to be able to access abortion. The people we care about are those without the means to pay for abortion. Are I able to pay rent, feed my children or save all the money I need for abortion?
VITALI: Planned Parenthood is opening a regional logistic center this weekend to help patients with transportation, food and cash.
Nationally, the number of abortion opponents is increasing. They have introduced over 600 restrictions on abortion and been able to make more than 90 laws in the last year. Reproductive advocates have begun to channel their efforts into states while the Supreme Court considers whether it should strike down Roe’s protections or modify them fundamentally.
VITALI: What are you trying to accomplish then? You shore up the states where access is available to make up for the states where it’s not?
ALEXIS MCGILL JOHNSON [PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA CEO]: Yes, absolutely. Focusing on the improvement of health care services in those regions which will provide patients with critical access.
VITALI – Reproductive groups work together to provide telehealth abortions for pregnancies lasting up to 10 week. Another move is to improve access and minimize travel.
Meanwhile, Friday saw anti-abortion protestors march to the National Mall for their annual March for Life. Their hope is that Roe Vs. Wade will be overturned by the time they gather next year.
KRISTEN WAGGONER [ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM]: Pray as you’ve never prayed before that the Supreme Court will have the moral courage to do what is right.
VITALI: The high court’s verdict, expected to come next June, would impact nearly half of U.S. women of reproductive age, about 36 million. Another landmark in a contentious and emotionally charged issue.
ALEXANDER : This is clearly a divisive topic. It is a very divisive issue.
VITALI. Peter, it seems that nearly three quarters of Americans oppose the Court overturning Roe. And that if it were to be over turned, 59% say they’d want to see their state set more permissive abortion laws. That said, another 40% said they’d want more restrictive legislation in their states. That stark division, which could be seen at the height of midterm season, is once again evident. Peter, Kristen?
WELKER: We will definitely be keeping an eye on this. Ali Vitali, this is a fantastic report. It was a pleasure to meet you in person.
ALEXANDER: Thanks, Ali.
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