Planned Parenthood Petitions NBC Over Abortion Censorship

Planned Parenthood has launched a petition requesting that NBCUniversal CEO Stephen B. Burke stop “silencing ads mentioning abortion” after NBC allegedly refused to run ads for Obvious Child because the film’s trailer mentions the word “abortion.” As of now, the petition has nearly 10,000 signatures.

From the petition:

Reports allege that NBC is refusing to allow the word “abortion” on air. It’s been more than 40 years since abortion was legalized – it’s about time television caught up. If you agree, add your name to our letter to NBC now.

Here’s the scoop: NBC reportedly refused to run an ad for the romantic comedy Obvious Child because the ad included the word “abortion,” with sources saying that they found the “subject matter was inappropriate for viewers.

It’s outrageous that a major network would choose to censor mentions about abortion. For far too long, the refusal to talk honestly about abortion has led to increasing stigma around the issue, and it’s got to stop.

Three in ten women will have an abortion by age 45. And the vast majority of Americans support access to safe and legal abortion. If NBC, is censoring the use of the word “abortion,” then the network is refusing to even take part in a conversation, let alone an honest one that accurately reflects women’s lives.

Tell NBCUniversal CEO Stephen B. Burke to #StoptheStigma and lead an honest, accurate conversation about abortion.

If the reports are true and NBC is refusing to air the word “abortion” because some people are offended, then I also suggest that they cancel Food Fighters with Adam Richman because that shit is offensive to people with taste.

Update: NBC did not censor an abortion joke on Last Comic Standing (more info here). Apologies from the author for the misleading information in the lede paragraph. The misleading facts have been removed.