How the media spun the recent SCOTUS ruling.
Via MRC
Despite Thursday’s unanimous Supreme Court ruling that so-called “buffer zones” banning pro-life protests near abortion clinics was a violation of the First Amendment, all three network evening newscasts hyped assertions by abortion advocates that such unconstitutional measures “prevent violence at clinic entrances.”
On NBC Nightly News, correspondent Pete Williams began his report on the high court’s decision by proclaiming: “Massachusetts was trying to avoid scenes like this – patients at abortion clinics confronted and hassled, sometimes even violence.” Footage ran of pro-life protesters being held back by police barricades and one unidentified man shouting: “They’re lying to you and they’re gonna kill your baby!”
Reporting for ABC’s World News, correspondent Terry Moran similarly fretted over the law being struck down: “Massachusetts officials had argued they needed the buffer zone because of this – raucous offensive protests outside clinics that threaten public safety and could effectively block women’s access to health care.”
CBS Evening News at least had the good sense to have an abortion activist utter such talking points, rather have a journalist parrot them. Correspondent Jan Crawford spoke to NARAL Pro-Choice America president Ilyse Hogue, who ranted: “Today’s Supreme Court decision makes lives of women accessing health care and doctors much more at risk….it was [as] though they have missed the entire harassment, intimidation, and even violence that this movement, this anti-choice movement, is known for.”
Amazing how the declarations by Williams and Moran were identical to NARAL spin.
NBC was unique in that it also worked in an argument from Planned Parenthood, when Williams noted: “Women’s groups say the same Supreme Court that denied them a buffer zone has a big one of its own, no protest on the plaza in front of the court building.”
On Friday, NBC’s Today featured a full story on the ruling, while ABC’s Good Morning America and CBS This Morning only provided news briefs on the topic. Co-host Matt Lauer introduced the report by announcing: “Women’s groups are figuring out new ways to shield patients who are walking into abortion clinics…”
Williams wrapped up the morning show segment by again touting: “The Supreme Court allows protest on the sidewalk in front of the court building but bans it on the large marble plaza in front. Planned Parenthood says that means the same court that denied them a buffer zone has one of its own.”