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WDUQ vs. Planned Parenthood?
Public radio forced to be silent about prevention?
It seems impossible, but WDUQ, the flagship NPR affiliate in Pittsburgh, refuses to air Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania's prevention message. After allowing Planned Parenthood to underwrite news segments for only two days, the public radio station decided they could no longer accept our donation and tell the listening audience about comprehensive sexuality education, cancer screening, or infection screening.
According to Scott Hanley, WDUQ’s station manager, Duquesne University has instructed WDUQ to refuse underwriting from Planned Parenthood. It seems the University is now dictating who can give money to the flagship NPR station, and what they can air. And apparently that means Planned Parenthood's message of prevention can't see the airwaves.
Planned Parenthood believes in public radio and has long admired WDUQ for its pledge to independence and integrity as a news station. We're also proud of the work we do to ensure strong and healthy families by providing men and women in need with healthcare services and information.
As one Planned Parenthood supporter wrote, "What part of the overall mission of prevention, including abstinence, teen self-esteem, cancer screenings and general health does Duquesne University disagree?" Is Duquesne University going to screen every donor to make sure they are in compliance with Catholic doctrine?
We hope you'll call and email WDUQ and Duquesne University to tell them to reverse their decision.
You can call WDUQ at 412-396-6030. You can call Duquesne University at 412-396-6000
Letters below will go to Scott Hanley, the station manager, and Dr. Charles Dougherty, the president of Duquesne University, which has purportedly asked the station to remove our underwriting message.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Don't Deny Planned Parenthood Air Time
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I was disturbed to hear that Pittsburgh area's public radio station refused to allow Planned Parenthood to underwrite a news segment.
As a supporter of both public radio and Planned Parenthood, I feel that WDUQ should gladly air Planned Parenthood's prevention message. Unless Duquesne University is screening every donor to find out whether they adhere to, or are in conflict with, Catholic doctrine, then it's clear that Planned Parenthood is being singled out unjustly. Please reconsider your decision to refuse Planned Parenthood's underwriting.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
October 11, 2007
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On Wednesday afternoon, WDUQ (90.5 Pittsburgh, 100.5 Johnstown, 104.1 in Ligonier and Somerset, 92.3 New Baltimore) pulled Planned Parenthood prevention and education statements that started this past Monday as part of an underwriting campaign.
Planned Parenthood received the following message, “Unfortunately, WDUQ has been ordered by the Duquesne University administration to immediately cease airing the acknowledgment of underwriting support from Planned Parenthood. Accordingly, as the university holds our license, we must pull your remaining schedule.”
These ads, from a consortium of Planned Parenthood affiliates across PA, Delaware and NJ, are running in all three states. WDUQ is the *only* station to refuse to air them.
What messages are too controversial?
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Support for DUQ comes from Planned Parenthood, offering healthcare services to men, including screenings for cancer and STDs. Planned Parenthood: Their mission is prevention.
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Support for DUQ comes from Planned Parenthood, providing comprehensive sexuality education, including lessons on abstinence. Planned Parenthood: Their mission is prevention.
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Support for DUQ comes from Planned Parenthood, whose community educators empower teens to make good choices by teaching self-esteem. Planned Parenthood: Their mission is prevention.
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Support for DUQ comes from Planned Parenthood, offering cancer screenings for women and men. Planned Parenthood: Their mission is prevention.
As you know, more than 90 percent of Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania's work is preventing sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. We serve thousands of men and women each year with annual cancer screen and contraception. We reach thousands more with our message of responsible decision making.
We believe the local NPR affilliate WDUQ is an important voice in our community. We believe in the work we do as well. Planned Parenthood is proud to help create strong families by providing healthcare to men and women in need. We know that the message of prevention -- whether that's annual cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infection testing, or contraception, is a positive one. We're outraged that DUQ would refuse to air our message, and we hope that you are too. Please consider contacting DUQ and Duquesne University by sending them an email, to let them know that Planned Parenthood's message about prevention deserves to be heard.
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