Tag: Abortion

How local journalists proved a 10-year-old’s abortion wasn’t a hoax

Shelia Pearson
How local journalists proved a 10-year-old’s abortion wasn’t a hoax

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It felt like half the country doubted the case existed. The Indianapolis Star had published a story July 1 about a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio who was forced to travel to Indiana for an abortion because of new restrictions in her home state. An indignant President Biden cited the story a week later as an example of extreme abortion laws, and his political opponents pounced. They suggested it was a lie or a hoax. A national newspaper’s editorial board concluded it was “too good to confirm.” Even Ohio’s attorney general called it a “fabrication.”

Bethany Bruner paid that all little mind. Instead, she went looking.

The Columbus Dispatch public safety reporter and her colleagues spent days studying public records and calling sources, painstakingly narrowing their search for the girl’s attacker to central Ohio. Then Bruner spotted an entry on the July 13 local court docket and learned a man would be arraigned that morning for the rape of a 10-year-old. She quickly hoofed the half-mile from her office to the courthouse.

Inside the courtroom, Bruner kept glancing at the door, expecting to see another reporter enter. None did as the judge called up the

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Newsroom Professionals Urge Journalists to Continue to keep Abortion Sights Underneath Wraps

Shelia Pearson
Newsroom Professionals Urge Journalists to Continue to keep Abortion Sights Underneath Wraps

In 2020, subsequent the murder of George Floyd, millions of folks took to U.S. streets to protest. It was close to this time that Axios chief govt Jim VandeHei sent a companywide e-mail providing workers the environmentally friendly light-weight to participate in this sort of racial justice demonstrations. “We proudly assistance and inspire you to physical exercise your legal rights to absolutely free speech, press, and protest,” he wrote, including, “If you are arrested or meet up with damage although working out these legal rights, Axios will stand behind you and use the Loved ones Fund to cover your bail or support with clinical costs.”

It was an “unusual go,” pointed out the New York Times, supplied that nonpartisan information shops have traditionally urged journalists not to express political views, so as to keep away from the perception of bias. VandeHei reiterated to the Occasions that the management would “stand firmly driving them really should they make a decision to workout their constitutional correct to no cost speech.” But now, as a further constitutional proper is below danger, the corporation is sending a unique message. In a memo sent to Axios personnel previously this week, as the explosive leak

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