NPR’s Michigan Morning Edition aired an abortion on air Thursday morning, complete with the sound of the 11-week-old preborn child being vacuumed from the womb.
Reporter Katie Wells narrated the account of the unnamed woman undergoing the abortion at a Northland Family Planning in the Detroit area.
“Most patients are partially awake during the procedures, they get IV medication for pain and anxiety,” the reporter continued. “The lights are dimmed, there’s soothing music, it actually feels a lot like a childbirth, in a medical gown, your bare legs and stirrups, and a person next to you, saying, ‘You can do this,’” Wells said during the 11-minute segment.
[Warning: Graphic audio content.]
I almost didn’t want to tweet this but it’s something everyone needs to know. NPR on the radio this morning played audio of a woman getting an abortion. You can hear the vacuum turning on, crying, moaning, and the doctor telling her it’s done.
Warning: It’s tough to listen to. pic.twitter.com/nlSNz0m5Ka
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) November 3, 2022
A staffer named Brandy told the mother, “Just keep breathing,” as the child was suctioned from the mother’s body.
Upon completion, the audio includes encouragement from someone in the room saying, “You did it!”
The mother of the aborted child thanked the abortion providers after the procedure ended.
“Abortion clinics are almost always closed to press. But a group of MI clinics generously allowed us to embed with them, b/c abortion rights are on the ballot in Michigan this Nov. But for the drs, staff and patients we met there, none of this was about politics,” Wells wrote in October during her investigation.
Abortion clinics are almost always closed to press. But a group of MI clinics generously allowed us to embed with them, b/c abortion rights are on the ballot in Michigan this Nov. But for the drs, staff and patients we met there, none of this was about politics.
— Kate Wells (@KateLouiseWells) October 26, 2022
“For the patients who allowed us into their lives (and their procedures), it’s about whether they can escape an abusive partner. Or support the kids they already have. Or finish school, or keep their jobs. We’re going to take you inside this clinic,” she added.
For nine days ahead of the midterm elections, Wells shared stories from her investigation in a lengthy article. One account spoke of a woman name Melissa from Ohio who came to Michigan for an abortion. Ohio recently enacted a ban on most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.
“I would be struggling for a very long time,” Melissa said. “I would have to drop out of school. And I would have to find a different job, because I would need more daycare.” She opted to go through with an abortion at 14 weeks of pregnancy.
The broadcast of the destruction of the preborn child’s life led to quick and intense outrage from many.
“A recording of a murder. Outlaw abortion now,” pro-life group Live Action tweeted.
“So NPR recognizes the connection to childbirth but is complicit with taking the life of the child through abortion versus giving the boy or girl life,” Dan Bartkowiak wrote. “Heartbreaking. Sickening. Evil.”
WARNING: Audio of an abortion.@NPR: “It actually feels a lot like a childbirth.”
So NPR recognizes the connection to childbirth but is complicit with taking the life of the child through abortion versus giving the boy or girl life.
Heartbreaking. Sickening. Evil. https://t.co/TZwgplEvry
— Dan Bartkowiak (@DanBartkowiak) November 3, 2022
NPR receives funding for less than 1% of its budget directly from the federal government, according to a report by Influence Watch. However, the public radio broadcaster receives almost 10% of its budget from federal, state, and local governments indirectly as of 2018. NPR’s 202o Form 990 shows a total annual revenue of over $277 million.
