TERROR: Networks Bury Firebombing of Pro-Life Group, Allow Just 77 Seconds

Pro-life activists were attacked by a radical group that supports abortion this week. They attempted to intimidate Supreme Court justices in an attempt to overturn Roe vs Wade. But you probably wouldn’t know that if you relied on the corrupt network morning and evening newscasts. They only allowed them to spend 77 seconds Sunday and Monday. Then they dropped the whole story by Tuesday morning.

ABC, CBS and NBC adopted a matter-of-fact tone to the firebombing and the dire threat (“If abortions aren’t safe, then you aren’t either”) spray painted on the wall of Wisconsin Family Action. CBS was limited to 18 seconds. ABC provided 20 minutes, while NBC offered 39.

On Sunday’s CBS Weekend News, reporter Elise Preston barely noted, “In Wisconsin today, firefighters confirmed the headquarters of an anti-abortion rights group, was a target of arson.” On Sunday’s NBC Nightly NewsAli Vitali did not sound the alarm. 

Madison Police say that an illegal abortion group had a Molotov cocktail in its headquarters. It was vandalized by a spray of warning paint on the wall. “If abortions aren’t safe, then you aren’t either.” 

On Monday’s Today, the just-the-minimum-facts reporting continued. Blayne Alexander insisted, “In every corner of the country, the fight over abortion rights is heating up. In Wisconsin, a Molotov cocktail was launched through the window of the headquarters of this anti-abortion rights group.”

On Monday’s CBS Mornings, Scott McFarlane warned of violence…Pro-lifers oppose abortion clinics: “Meanwhile, an intelligence bulletin reviewed by CBS News warns extremists could be mobilizing during this powerful debate nationwide, potentially targeting abortion clinics and government officials.” That day’s show featured no update on Madison.

By Monday’s CBS Evening News, Nikole Killion switched to a “both sides” spin:

Also, the White House condemned Sunday’s attack on Madison, Wisconsin’s anti-abortion group. This incident is currently being investigated by CBS News as arson. CBS News learned from law enforcement officers We monitor threats made by activists from both sides to the debate.

ABC gets the worst for its journalistic abandonment. On Sunday, it took only 20 seconds World News Tonight and then the network went quiet (aside from overnight shows that aired at 3:30 and 4AM, respectively.) 

All of this is in contrast to George Tiller’s murder on May 31, 2009. The next day, NBC speculated that then-Fox News anchor Bill O’Reilly fueled the killing with “his blunt remarks regarding abortion and Dr. Tiller.”

The 1st of June 2009 Good Morning AmericaABC ignored every pro-life organization condemning the crime. Instead, GMA Reporter Jeffrey Kofman highlighted glee from internet trolls over the slaying of the man who performed out late-term abortions. He announced, “On Twitter, one person wrote, ‘Oh, happy, day. Tiller the baby killer is dead.’ Another wrote, ‘God bless the gunman.’”

This type of color was missing in the reporting of the firebombing of a pro-life organization. There were no prominent liberals who were blamed. It was not the internet’s commentators who were blamed.

Unfortunately, Wisconsin’s act of brutal violence isn’t likely to end. LifeNews.com reported on Wednesday that a radical, pro-abortion group claimed responsibility for the Madison attack and has threatened, “We are done with this warning.”

Networks have an obligation to cover all the vile attempts to intimidate both the Supreme Court as well as pro-life Americans throughout the nation. This isn’t the right way to do business in America. The press needs to call Madison’s attacks Terror.