WALSH: NPR Gave ‘Guidance’ On What Words To Use When Discussing Abortion. I’ve Got Better Suggestions.

As The Daily Wire reported this week, NPR has issued a “Guidance Reminder” instructing journalists on which words and phrases they should avoid, and which they should employ, when reporting on the abortion issue. NPR suggests that reporters steer clear of words like partial-birth abortion (“intact dilation and extraction” is the suggested alternative), abortion clinics (“medical or health clinic that performs abortion”), abortion doctor (it is recommended that we refer to doctors who “operate clinics where abortions are performed”), unborn baby (“fetus,” obviously), and pro-lifers (“abortion rights opponents”). Journalists are also cautioned not to use other apparently loaded phrases like “fetal heartbeat.” The point is, at every turn, to utilize language that will make abortion seem as clinical and sanitized as possible while making pro-lifers seem as crazy as possible.

While I respect NPR’s steadfast commitment to distortion and partisanship, I tend to think that these codewords only make the abortion conversation more confusing. That, of course, is precisely the goal. Pro-aborts always want to talk about abortion in a way that will not encourage anyone to actually think about abortion. As a pro-lifer myself, but more importantly as someone who values honesty and clarity, I take the opposite approach. If we are going to talk about killing babies, we should be frank and straightforward about it. Our language should highlight the essence of abortion, not distract from it.