NBC'S UNSUBTLE SLANT ON ABORTION

By Cal Thomas

 

From the opening scene of NBC's movie "Roe vs. Wade" to Tom

Brokaw's labeling to two of his guests on an NBC News program as "anti-

abortion," instead of "pro-life" as they asked to be called (the other

guests were labeled "pro-choice" in accordance with their wishes),

America's No. 1 network engaged in a subtle, systematic, and

coordinated propaganda campaign.

Anyone who believes the airing of this film at a time when the

Supreme Court is considering a case that could limit or overturn

abortion on demand is pure coincidence is a potential customer for a

bridge in Brooklyn.

In the film the viewer was carefully led through all of the pro-

abortion arguments. Ellen Russell, the character who represented Norma

McCorvey (a.k.a. Jane Roe), said, "I got no place to go. I can't give

up another baby. What could it possibly be like to have a kid out

there gettin' his butt kicked and you don't even know?"

That there were places for unwed mothers to go for care in 1972

was never mentioned.

Was it coincidental that the first commercial, for Maxwell House

coffee, featured Linda Ellerbee, who marched in last month's abortion

rights demonstration in Washington and who does pro-abortion

commentaries on Cable News Network, where she is employed?

The film shifted the focus of attention from the baby to the

woman, a strategy that is at the heart of the pro-abortion position.

Such a shift is necessary because pro-abortionists have lost the debate

over the "humanness" of the baby thanks to ultrasound and fetoscopy,

which show clearly fetal development.

The film treated adoption as a less appealing option than

abortion, twisting logic and promoting the pro-abortion position that

it is more blessed to kill the unborn than it is to enhance three

lives, that of the baby, and the couple who desperately want children.

The actress playing the attorney Sarah Weddington said to her

client, "You shouldn't have to bear a child and give it to strangers."

This is harsh news to the long waiting list of those "strangers,"

prospective adoptive parents who are hoping that women will indeed give

their babies life in order that the lives of barren couples might be

enhanced.

There were not-too-subtle references in the film to abortion as a

cure-all for welfare (a suggestion that Jesse Jackson once denounced as

racist before he converted to the pro-abortion view), and there were

passing scenes of a dirty abortion table, "intolerant" religion (the

Methodist denomination, favoring abortion, received an honorable

mention), and insensitive men (except the ones helping the pro-abortion

side.)

But it was in the hour-long NBC News special following the film

that the NBC point of view was stripped of whatever objective clothing

remained. (On the Washington, D.C., NBC affiliate, a local reporter

covering pro-lifers as they watched the movie referred to them as "so-

called pro-lifers," while the reporter covering the other side called

them "pro-choice.")

With body language, smirks and interruptions, Tom Brokaw quickly

revealed his side. Brokaw frequently interrupted and lectured Rep.

Chris Smith, a Republican from New Jersey, and Olivia Gans of National

Right to Life, while allowing Planned Parenthood President Faye

Wattleton and author Anna Quindlen to make lengthy uninterrupted

responses to questions.

This film and follow-up news program practiced censorship by

ignoring the following: a woman deciding not to have an abortion for

the baby's sake;

people praying about their circumstances (millions do)

and receiving counseling and financial help; a crisis pregnancy center

(there are hundreds) helping a woman with an unplanned pregnancy before

and after the birth of her child, offering her a place to live, food,

clothing, medical care and even a job; pictures of what is being

aborted, before and after the fact;

interviews with "tough cases" who

were not aborted and who are asked whether they wish they had been;

interviews with doctors, such as Bernard Nathanson, who used to perform

abortions but have "converted" to the pro-life side; interviews with

parents whose joy is boundless since they adopted a child.

The pro-abortionists have mounted an unprecedented campaign on

radio and television and in newspapers and magazines, hoping to

persuade the Supreme Court to leave Roe vs. Wade alone. They are

spending millions. Pro-lifers are spending their smaller resources on

saving babies.

Who will succeed? No one can be sure. But the verdict is already

in from NBC, which has placed itself firmly on the side of death.

(c) 1989 Los Angeles Times Syndicate

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