Russian media is neither independent nor objective. I know that, even though the facts of ever-erupting political disputes between Russia and its neighbors lie somewhere between the anti-Western views of Russia’s media and the more muted “Russia’s always to blame” undercurrent in American media.
But today’s NTV report on Obama’s repeal of the global gag rule was an obvious case of anti-Americanism, or at least bad reporting. The global gag rule, instated by Reagan, repealed by Clinton, and reinstated by George W. Bush, refused American international aid monies to health providers who did so much as referrals for abortions. Opponents of the gag rule, according to a Reuters article, argue that the restriction not only restricts access to abortion, but to contraception, HIV/AIDS treatment, and basic health services.
Yet by NTV’s report, the global gag rule was only restraining abortion providers. (At this moment in the report, footage of a glowing parents and a newborn appears. Subtle.) Therefore, by repealing the gag rule, opines NTV, Obama contradicted his promise to lower the number of abortions.
Fact-check, anyone?
