The media plays a fundamental role in framing and influencing the discussion around abortion care. Who covers the issue, how they choose to cover it, and who they choose to include in coverage, matters.

Nearly 1 in 4 people who can get pregnant will have an abortion by the age of 45. 77% of people in the United States support Roe v. Wade. Yet, coverage of abortion is driven almost entirely by politicians and the latest legislative or legal fights. As a result, abortion coverage is largely disconnected from the realities of healthcare, people’s lived experiences, and the general public’s actual views on the topic.

This can have an insidious impact on how readers understand the issue of reproductive freedom, with the dichotomy between a real-life situation of someone seeking abortion care and news coverage farther apart than ever. At a time when our country is reckoning with entrenched racism and rising against white supremacy, more inclusion of stories from people in marginalized communities is especially important. 

The Tell the Whole Story initiative provides educational resources and calls for more accountability of reporters, editors, and columnists covering abortion and reproductive freedom.