Abortion in the media

Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Dec;29(6):427-430. doi: 10.1097/GCO.0000000000000412.

Abstract

Purpose of review: To review updates in how abortion care is depicted and analysed though various media outlets: news, television, film, and social media.

Recent findings: A surge in recent media-related abortion research has recognized several notable and emerging themes: abortion in the news media is often inappropriately sourced and politically motivated; abortion portrayal in US film and television is frequently misrepresented; and social media has a new and significant role in abortion advocacy.

Summary: The portrayal of abortion onscreen, in the news, and online through social media has a significant impact on cultural, personal, and political beliefs in the United States. This is an emerging field of research with wide spread potential impact across several arenas: medicine, policy, public health.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Induced*
  • Attitude to Health
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mass Media
  • Motion Pictures*
  • Pregnancy
  • Public Health
  • Social Media*
  • Television*
  • United States