RTÉ proved again this week that they are Ireland's leading cheerleaders for abortion. The fact that they are also the taxpayer funded National Broadcaster and meant to be impartial doesn't concern them in the least.
Their loud and clear message to the pro-life movement on Wednesday as they aired their latest abortion production was: we don't care that there's another side to the story, we're going to continue to ridicule, misrepresent and distort what your movement stands for and hardwire our own version of Irish history into the public psyche.
The film 'The 8th' screened at primetime was an hour and a half of in your face pro-abortion propaganda from start to finish. There was no mention of the grotesque abortions taking place under the post Repeal regime or the regret and silent heartbreak of abortion endured by countless women since the new law took effect.
No pro-life supporter should fall for the idea that petitioning RTÉ to show a pro-life film (or to accept a token interview) will make a jot of difference. The problem we face with RTÉ is much much bigger. Getting people talking about the totalitarian extent of the bias and presenting them with the facts is key. We need to devote much more time and energy to this particular effort.
Someone remarked after Wednesday night's programme that it's a miracle 1 in 3 people voted NO in the referendum given the insane level of media bias that exists in Ireland. It's a valid point when you look closely at how RTÉ and other media outlets have behaved.
One other thing - it doesn't matter how dark and hopeless things appear, there is always reason for hope. If RTÉ didn't fear the power of the pro-life message, they would let it air. The only way the lie of abortion can survive is by shutting out all opposition.
RTÉ still has the power to shrug off any pro-life criticism they receive following Wednesday night's programme. We can't pretend otherwise. But something else is equally true. The arrogance and indifference they display will someday be their undoing. The barbarism of the new abortion law and the silent pain of women who regret their abortions won’t stay hidden forever.
Educating people about RTÉ bias is the most pressing and important challenge we face. It will be a massive undertaking but that must not deter us.
The PLC e-card to RTÉ is a small but important feature of a much bigger campaign. It simply asks the Director General of RTÉ to explain why pro-life supporters should continue paying the licence fee given RTÉ's outrageously biased coverage. TEN WEEKS on from the start of the campaign with over 3,500 individual e-cards sent and still no response from the Director General! We're going to keep the campaign going until RTÉ replies.
Take 30 seconds to sign the e-card today if you haven’t done so already. And PLEASE share the link with family and friends.Â
You can read an excellent article in today's Irish Times from journalist Melanie McDonagh, who admirably and with great attention to detail calls out RTÉ here
Melissa Ohden, founder of The Abortion Survivors Network, recently hosted a weekend get-together for people who like herself survived the abortion procedure and lived to tell their remarkable stories. The event which took place in Texas was an emotional rollercoaster for all attendees who feel fortunate to be alive and are ever mindful that they came very close to never breathing their first breath. Â
Melissa, who is known to many pro-life volunteers in Ireland from her trips here has in recent years been reaching out to fellow abortion survivors from around the world to share their stories and be there for one another. After Melissa survived her abortion, she was left to die alone in a corner until a nurse intervened and saved her life. To think that babies are left to die in this way is a damning indictment of legal abortion and the culture that supports it. We know that cases like this have arisen in Ireland since the new law took effect, even though government ministers promised the electorate it would never happen, and in the Dáil former Fine Gael TD Kate O'Connell disrespectfully described these cases as "fairytales". Â
The recent weekend get-together of abortion survivors in Texas is just a start, with hopefully many more similar events taking place as part of the ongoing mission of The Abortion Survivors Network.
You can read more about the Abortion Survivors Network hereÂ
Paul Givan, MLA, First Minister of Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Paul Givan has said he will strongly resist the order from Boris Johnson's government to introduce abortion provison by March 2022.
Last week, Brandon Lewis MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, set out a formal timetable for imposing abortion on Northern Ireland. Other senior DUP members, including party leader Jeffrey Donaldson have voiced their opposition to the British government's directive and pressure is growing for Northern Ireland’s Health Minister Robin Swann and other ministers to ignore Westminster’s directive that undermines devolution.Â
In an interview with BBC News, First Minister and DUP Assembly member Givan said he was currently taking legal advice on the issue, and affirmed that he was prepared to defy Brandon Lewis’ order.
As readers may know, the Medical Council has launched a public consultation as part of the upcoming review of its Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for registered medical practitioners.  The closing date for sending submissions has been extended to 18th August 2021.
It’s a really important opportunity for doctors and healthcare professionals to make their views known and to influence the ethical guidelines governing medical practitioners for the next five years.  We encourage every doctor to make a submission, even if it’s only a paragraph or two in length.
The amended Guide issued by the Medical Council in 2019 (after the new abortion law was introduced) greatly undermined freedom of conscience protections for doctors who don’t wish to participate in abortions in any way.
It is critically important that the Medical Council receive the message loud and clear that changes are needed in this and other areas of the Guide.
You can read more on how to make a submission here
A Day in the Life of RTÉ’s Coverage of Abortion is an illuminating overview of RTÉ’s coverage of the abortion issue on the 3rd anniversary of the referendum (25th May 2021). It’s an example of a typical day when abortion is in the news and how RTÉ treats the issue.
There’s much talk at present about biased coverage but it’s only when things are properly documented that the full scale of the problem becomes apparent. We strongly encourage you to take a few minutes to read this important new document from the Pro Life Campaign.
On a related matter, it’s been over 2 months since the PLC E-card initiative to RTÉ started. Since then literally thousands of people have signed the card calling on RTÉ’s Director General to explain why pro-life supporters should be expected to continue paying the TV licence given RTÉ’s incredibly biased reporting on the pro-life issue.
It is unacceptable but very telling the way RTÉ has refused to respond to those who sent E-cards. If you haven’t already signed the E-card, please do so today and SPREAD THE WORD to family and friends.
As you may already be aware, the Pro Life Campaign are running a campaign to make sure that we hold our national broadcaster RTÉ to account for its glaringly one-sided coverage of the abortion issue.Â
We are asking like minded people to send an E-card to RTÉ, asking them to "Stop The Media Bias".
Thousands of cards have been sent already, but we need much much more to make a real impact.
Please help us spread the word by ordering your leaflets today. These can be given to friends, family and community, informing them of the campaign and encouraging them to send a card also.
Raise funds and support mothers and babies this summer.
Taking part is easy and fun. Run, cycle or swim, you decide. How and where you do the 5k is your choice. You may decide to do it with a group of friends or solo, it’s up to you!
Just remember to tell your family and friends about your plans and ask them to sponsor you.
Register today and receive your free LoveBoth T-Shirt and sponsorship pack
Would you like to experience working with a pro-active Human Rights organisation?
APPLY HERE to our exciting virtual  intern programme for students!
Participants on the programme will have an opportunity to network with other young people and develop skills in advocacy, campaign management and project planning.
Internships run for one-week periods and are suitable for second level (Transition year or older) and third level students.
Each intern will do 4 hours supervised work each day and will be working on areas such as social media, contact with members of the movement nationwide, project planning and contributing to support work for women and their babies.
Internships are not paid, however expenses will be covered.
If you or a family member is interested, please complete the below form and we will be in touch with you presently. Placements are subject to availability.Â
All of our work is possible because of YOUR continued volunteerism and financial support.  If you can please consider donating to the Pro Life Campaign. Thank you!
Vital Signs is the e-newsletter of the Pro Life Campaign. We hope you and your families are keeping well in these unusual times. This email is to update you on what we have been working on recently, including news stories, project updates, and details of upcoming events. If you want to get in touch with us please do so by emailing [email protected]
