Guess Who? Planned Parenthood Awards 13 Journalists at 100th Anniversary Gala

June 21st, 2016 3:21 PM

Planned Parenthood doesn’t need a PR firm when it has the media who do just as well – if not better – at pushing the abortion giant’s agenda: death.

The Planned Parenthood Federation of America bestowed Media Excellence Awards to 13 journalists during its 2016 National Conference Gala earlier this month in Washington, D.C. Since its founding, the taxpayer-funded organization has recognized a total of 270 media outlets and journalists for doing its bidding.

Of the media awarded, Democracy NOW! host and executive producer Amy Goodman received the “highest honor,” according to Planned Parenthood. Goodman repeatedly used her platform to defend Planned Parenthood following the release of the Center for Medical Progress videos last summer that showed, among other things, clinic workers picking apart aborted baby limbs in a dish with tweezers.

 

 

Planned Parenthood listed the other winners of the 2016 Media Excellence Awards as:

  • Sunnivie Brydum and Mitch Kellaway of The Advocate, for “Fighting to Free Ky Peterson on Trans Liberation Tuesday,” “Feds Probe Georgia’s Treatment of LGBT Prisoners” and “We Must Talk About Violence Against Trans Men”
  • Zuri and Staceyann Chin of Living Room Protest, for “We Stand with Planned Parenthood!”
  • Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow of Call Your Girlfriend
  • Imani Gandi of Rewire, for “How False Narratives of Margaret Sanger Are Being Used to Shame Black Women”
  • Dani McClain of The Nation, for “Long-Acting Contraception Makes Teen Pregnancy Rates Plummet. So Why Are Some Women Still Skeptical?”
  • Alex Morris of Rolling Stone, for “The War on Planned Parenthood”
  • Caitlin Moscatello of Cosmopolitan, for “How to Have a Safe Abortion”
  • Raquel Reichard of Latina, for “Planned Parenthood – A Latina Lifeline Under Fire”
  • Kayla Webley of Marie Claire, for “Mission Critical” or “On the Front Lines of the Abortion Wars”

The abortion giant commended the journalists’ “incredible work” and “commitment to advancing social justice.” Or, more specifically, praised writers and activists who push for abortion and contraception as well as write on racism and the transgender movement.

In a video recognizing the 2016 recipients, Planned Parenthood revealed its criteria:

With reproductive health on the line, brave and thoughtful journalists, artists and activists have played a critical role in elevating important and provocative perspectives. The recipients of Planned Parenthood’s 2016 Media Excellence Awards are using pop culture, sharp humor to talk about women’s health. Because access is at risk and we need to fight back.

They’re removing the stigma that persists around abortion. And speaking up about the impact that attacks on birth control have on Latinas. They’re sparking important conversations in the African-American community on racism and contraceptive use, while others broke the silence about the violence experienced by incarcerated trans men of color. They’re highlighting the brave doctors who provide women the care they need against all obstacles – and how an average person can lead an effective protest for reproductive freedom from their living room.

Their courage and passion in advancing the conversation on reproductive health and freedom is critical. And for that, we at Planned Parenthood salute you.

Although not awarded, other media attending the gala included Buzzfeed News Reporter Darren Sands, MTV Senior National Correspondent Jamil Smith, Ebony editor Jamilah Lemieux and ABC local D.C. reporter Jummy Olabanji.

 

 

Last year, in 2015, Planned Parenthood recognized 16 journalists who welcomed the Media Excellence Awards – immediately after the Center for Medical Progress videos exposed the abortion giant’s dealings with aborted baby parts.

But the awards go back to 1978, when Planned Parenthood began fostering a cozy relationship with the media by rewarding those who push its agenda. 

According to the abortion giant, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America “Maggie Awards for Media Excellence” began in 1978 in honor of founder Margaret Sanger. The awards “recognize exceptional contributions by the media and arts and entertainment industries that enhance the public's understanding of reproductive rights and health care issues, including contraception, sex education, teen pregnancy, abortion, and international family planning.” 

From 1978 through 2016, Planned Parenthood has awarded a total of 270 media outlets and journalists for doing their bidding. And they aren’t little-known names either. Media awarded in the past include the likes of ABC, CBS, NBC and The Washington Post as well as taxpayer-funded NPR and PBS.

The abortion giant acknowledges the power of having the media as its greatest ally. Earlier this year in an interview, Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards called the media “incredibly important.”