Virginia Public Media (VPM) canceled an event featuring pro-life doctors after the organization learned the gathering would involve… pro-lifers?
The Virginia Medical Professionals for Women’s Safety says it booked space at VPM’s Richmond headquarters roughly a month ago for an October 2 event in opposition to Virginia’s proposed constitutional amendment protecting abortion access. The organization says VPM accepted payment before canceling the booking and issuing a full refund.
In an email to the organizers obtained exclusively by The Daily Wire, VPM said private functions at its facility must align with the organization’s mission.
“Since we were not made aware of the political nature of your event, the contract has been voided, and you will receive a full refund,” the email said.
The group is registered with the Virginia Department of Elections as a political committee opposing the amendment.
According to the medical group, VPM canceled the booking the same day the doctors began advertising the event as an opportunity to oppose Question 1, the abortion amendment on Virginia’s November 3 ballot.
The group, which says it represents nearly 200 medical professionals, subsequently moved the press conference to the Virginia General Assembly Building. The event is scheduled for Friday at 11 a.m.
Dr. Timothy Boley, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and leader of the group, said the cancellation would not stop the doctors from speaking publicly about the amendment.
“VPM may have attempted to cancel our event, but we are pressing forward,” Boley said. “We will still hold our press conference and shed light on the facts that expose the medical dangers of Question 1.”
The proposed amendment would add a constitutional right to “reproductive freedom” to the Bill of Rights in Virginia’s Constitution. It is one of three constitutional amendments scheduled for a statewide vote November 3.
VPM has separately reported on the amendment, including arguments from abortion opponents who say it could undermine health and safety regulations and pro-abortion experts who dispute that interpretation.
The medical group argues that Question 1 would eliminate existing health and safety protections and allow abortions to be performed by unlicensed providers in facilities that are not subject to medical inspections.
Christina Francis, a board-certified OB/GYN and CEO of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists Action, which is affiliated with the Virginia group, accused VPM of depriving Virginians of an opportunity to hear directly from physicians. “VPM is doing a disservice to their audience — aka, Virginians across the Commonwealth who are heading to the ballot box one month from now — by silencing our physician voices,” Francis said.
VPM’s publicly stated mission is “to use the power of media to educate, entertain and inspire,” and its news operation covers statewide politics and issues before the Virginia General Assembly.
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