The Associated Press, the most commonly used stylebook in mainstream journalism, updated its guide to condemn the term “crisis pregnancy center”. Instead AP is pushing journalists to use the term “anti-abortion center”.
The political nature of this mandate is clear. The Associated Press wants these centers viewed as groups of religious fanatics who do not care about woman with unexpected pregnancies. While the term “anti-abortion center” may be accurate, it does not take into account the full scope of the care provided at these centers. Crisis pregnancy centers provide many types of care for woman with unexpected pregnancies, such as material and emotional support and even free medical assistance. The goal of these centers is to save the lives of the child and the mother, not push an agenda like the AP.
This change in terms from the AP is the latest attack on crisis pregnancy centers since the overturning of Roe vs. Wade. There are over 80 documented attacks on these centers since the Supreme Court reversed the decision that stood for nearly 50 years. Crisis pregnancy centers have been vandalized and even attacked with firebombs. While these attacks are dangerous, actions such as the change in terms from the AP are hugely influential in the abortion fight and perhaps more dangerous in the long run. Censorship of pro-life journalists severely inhibits the pro-life movement from engaging in this fight.