Blatant Media Bias Shows Itself Once Again
Here is an excellent example of the blatant bias of the media where a reporter takes one sentence out of context from a press conference and twists its meaning and intent to push a personal position.
MANASSAS, VA-Reporter Kelsey Radcliffe released a news article three days after a press conference at which Virginia Delegate Bob Marshall spoke with pastors, clergymen and reporters regarding funding of pro-abortion organization Planned Parenthood. This article neglected to state the facts or the studies he and other speakers cited for their objections to giving this organization more taxpayer dollars. Instead, it focused on a single sentence taken out of context with the seeming intention of misrepresenting what he said, and at the same time being hurtful to disabled children.
Bob and his wife have five children. The adoption agency told them that one of their adopted children had a 50-50 chance of contracting a disabling genetic disease which causes death in early adulthood. Nevertheless, they went through with the adoption. Several years ago they found out she does not carry the gene for this disorder after all.
Bob and his wife firmly believe every child is a gift and a blessing. Contrary to the philosophy of Planned Parenthood, they think every child deserves a lifetime, regardless of whether that child is planned, unplanned, wanted, unwanted, disabled, "normal," has birth defects, is born outside of marriage, or is the result of sexual assault. Special needs children are especially important to them, which is why for three years Bob introduced legislation to add insurance coverage for autism.
During the press conference, Bob mentioned that Christians can have a special insight because the first born of every being, animal and man, was dedicated to God in the Old Testament. Peer review medical research shows that induced abortion of the first pregnancy causes significantly higher complications in subsequent wanted pregnancies than in women who carry their children to term, and he believes many women would want to know this information before choosing to have an abortion. We truly do owe it to the best interest and well being of the mother and child to expose the potential dangers of these unfortunate first abortions, which are so aggressively promoted by Planned Parenthood. By concealing this information, Planned Parenthood takes a stance that is of such a lack of sensitivity or care to these young women that we must wonder why they receive any taxpayer dollars at all.
In 2008, peer review medical researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University published a report from official US sources on the higher incidence of low birth weight and premature births among women who had induced abortions vs. women who did not.
The study found that women who had one, two and three or more prior abortions were 2.8, 4.6 and 9.5 times more likely to have low birth weight children and the risk of premature birth was 1.7, 2.0 and 3.0 times higher for women with a history of one, two or three or more previous abortions. (See, Brown, J. S., et al. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 2008;62:16-22) Bob specifically cited this VCU study at the press conference.
Yet Kelsey Radcliffe failed to mention this scientific study in her article which would allow readers to make up their own minds based on the facts. We must preserve objectivity and clarity in journalism, and one way to do that is to correct the record when facts are missing or misleading statements are made.
Readers should question why this organization opposes Bob's HB 334, now in the State Senate, to inform women about medical problems they and their children may have in future wanted pregnancies after a prior induced abortion. Since Planned Parenthood supports prenatal diagnosis and abortion of handicapped children because of their handicap, they must be asked how denial of peer review medical studies promotes the best interests of women. This is a disservice to women who deserve better.
I hope this clarifies any mistaken impressions left by Kelsey Radcliffe's article. If you have any questions you may contact Bob directly on his cell phone at 703-853-4213.
MANASSAS, VA-Reporter Kelsey Radcliffe released a news article three days after a press conference at which Virginia Delegate Bob Marshall spoke with pastors, clergymen and reporters regarding funding of pro-abortion organization Planned Parenthood. This article neglected to state the facts or the studies he and other speakers cited for their objections to giving this organization more taxpayer dollars. Instead, it focused on a single sentence taken out of context with the seeming intention of misrepresenting what he said, and at the same time being hurtful to disabled children.
Bob and his wife have five children. The adoption agency told them that one of their adopted children had a 50-50 chance of contracting a disabling genetic disease which causes death in early adulthood. Nevertheless, they went through with the adoption. Several years ago they found out she does not carry the gene for this disorder after all.
Bob and his wife firmly believe every child is a gift and a blessing. Contrary to the philosophy of Planned Parenthood, they think every child deserves a lifetime, regardless of whether that child is planned, unplanned, wanted, unwanted, disabled, "normal," has birth defects, is born outside of marriage, or is the result of sexual assault. Special needs children are especially important to them, which is why for three years Bob introduced legislation to add insurance coverage for autism.
During the press conference, Bob mentioned that Christians can have a special insight because the first born of every being, animal and man, was dedicated to God in the Old Testament. Peer review medical research shows that induced abortion of the first pregnancy causes significantly higher complications in subsequent wanted pregnancies than in women who carry their children to term, and he believes many women would want to know this information before choosing to have an abortion. We truly do owe it to the best interest and well being of the mother and child to expose the potential dangers of these unfortunate first abortions, which are so aggressively promoted by Planned Parenthood. By concealing this information, Planned Parenthood takes a stance that is of such a lack of sensitivity or care to these young women that we must wonder why they receive any taxpayer dollars at all.
In 2008, peer review medical researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University published a report from official US sources on the higher incidence of low birth weight and premature births among women who had induced abortions vs. women who did not.
The study found that women who had one, two and three or more prior abortions were 2.8, 4.6 and 9.5 times more likely to have low birth weight children and the risk of premature birth was 1.7, 2.0 and 3.0 times higher for women with a history of one, two or three or more previous abortions. (See, Brown, J. S., et al. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 2008;62:16-22) Bob specifically cited this VCU study at the press conference.
Yet Kelsey Radcliffe failed to mention this scientific study in her article which would allow readers to make up their own minds based on the facts. We must preserve objectivity and clarity in journalism, and one way to do that is to correct the record when facts are missing or misleading statements are made.
Readers should question why this organization opposes Bob's HB 334, now in the State Senate, to inform women about medical problems they and their children may have in future wanted pregnancies after a prior induced abortion. Since Planned Parenthood supports prenatal diagnosis and abortion of handicapped children because of their handicap, they must be asked how denial of peer review medical studies promotes the best interests of women. This is a disservice to women who deserve better.
I hope this clarifies any mistaken impressions left by Kelsey Radcliffe's article. If you have any questions you may contact Bob directly on his cell phone at 703-853-4213.
Comments
Post a Comment