As the ProLife Doc, an obstetrician with over two decades of experience supporting moms, delivering babies, and engaging in ministry, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the miracle of life begin in the womb many times. Every day, I see undeniable evidence that a patient is a person, no matter how small. Yet, in the broader culture, many never see this truth clearly. Over the years, it has become obvious that one of the greatest barriers to that understanding is the way abortion is consistently portrayed by the media.
A Predetermined Narrative
Mainstream media outlets have incredible power to shape public opinion, and they know it. They decide what stories to highlight, what language to use, and what voices to amplify—or silence. When it comes to abortion, the dominant media narrative consistently promotes a message that obscures the full humanity of the unborn child and frames abortion as a simple, even empowering, medical decision. This framing is not neutral. It is a deliberate shaping of reality.
Sanitized Language
Reporters often avoid showing the reality of fetal development or the science of prenatal medicine. They use sanitized terms like “reproductive healthcare” or “termination” to avoid confronting what abortion truly is. Abortion is never “healthcare.” Abortion is when two patients with heartbeats enter the surgical suite, but only one patient exits with that heart still beating. If you are losing the beating hearts of half of your patents, that is not “healthcare.” Rarely does the media cover advances in fetal surgery or the growing body of evidence that unborn babies can feel pain. And they almost never highlight the stories of women who regret their abortions or those who choose life after beginning a chemical abortion, thanks to abortion pill reversal.
Biased Framing
A 2022 review of media language on abortion found that outlets routinely use terminology that supports abortion-rights perspectives. For example, pro-life advocates are often labeled as “anti-abortion activists,” a term that carries a more negative connotation. Meanwhile, abortion advocates are described using language like “reproductive rights supporters,” which sounds more positive and neutral. This is not objective journalism. It is narrative crafting.
Implied Consensus
When the media sets the terms of the conversation this way, it influences how the public thinks. Viewers and readers are less likely to question abortion if they are never exposed to the humanity of the unborn child or the moral and medical complexities involved. If the only voices heard are those that support abortion, people may believe there is no real debate.
But there is a debate. There is real science, real medicine, and real hope. Every day in my practice, I’ve provided care for both my patients—the mother and her unborn child. I’ve seen surgery performed on babies in the womb. I’ve seen their heartbeats, watched them react to stimuli, and witnessed their recovery after procedures. They are undeniably alive, and they are undeniably human.
The media’s failure to report this truth isn’t just frustrating. It has consequences. Women facing unplanned pregnancies deserve complete information and real options. They deserve to know that there is a network of doctors across the country who can help reverse the effects of mifepristone if they change their minds. They deserve to know they are not alone and that people and organizations exist to help and support them in choosing life for their babies.
The Solution: Moral Clarity and Accurate Information
We must counteract the media’s bias with truth, compassion, and education. That’s why I created ProLifeDoc.org—to provide clear, science-based resources that affirm the dignity of life from the moment of conception. Through our curriculum, women, families, educators, and churches can learn the truth about how life begins and how we can defend it.
If you’ve found yourself wondering how the public has become so numb to the reality of abortion, look no further than the media’s influence. But together, we can break through that noise. We can change hearts and minds—not with anger, but with compassion, medical and scientific facts, and a commitment to every life, no matter how small.
Visit ProLifeDoc.org to explore resources, support my pro-life ministry, learn more about abortion pill reversal, or order the ProLife Doc curriculum to share with your church, school, or community. The truth is powerful. Let’s share it.
