The Story Behind the Story: The BBC’s Anti-American Agenda

Having read today’s BBC article written by Eve Webster titled ‘How US groups are driving a new generation of anti-abortion activism in the UK’ I feel compelled to share something of the ‘behind the scenes’ story . . .

I was contacted by Eve in February and it was clear from the outset that the article was going to be about the UK’s pro-life movement being influenced by America. I agreed to speak with Eve on the phone and we had a very long chat in which I was repeatedly asked about the connections between March for Life UK and the US. I repeatedly explained that we weren’t connected and had been motivated more by the Rally for Life in Ireland than the USA – although the USA had impressive numbers which was very inspiring in that regard. I also reminded Eve that the UK had a pro-life movement before America since abortion was legalised here years before the US, consequently, we have our own brand of pro-life, as does every country, to suit their own culture. 

I became frustrated as Eve gave subtle misquoted recaps in which I was told what I’d said about America as though to encourage me to say more – I had to correct the recaps so as not to be misquoted but it was even clearer where she wanted to go with the article. I was asked where our funding came from at March for Life UK which I politely told her wasn’t her business although I should add here that it doesn’t come from America but I’d happily welcome any Americans who’d like to donate. 

After Eve had exhausted her push to coax me into divulging my secret US affiliations she then tried another pro-life organisation, ‘Rachel’s Vineyard’. Maybe they would be the ones to support the article already written in Eve’s head? Sadly they didn’t reveal funding from the US either although I’m sure it must have been tempting to reply to Eve’s email with a ‘Howdy’ just to indulge her preconceived ideas.

Eve found a link she was looking for as a member of the Manchester pro-life society, Inge Bothe, received a young pro-lifer of the year award named after the murdered pro-life Christian, Charlie Kirk. Eve mentioned the Manchester pro-life society’s struggles: ‘Hundreds protested outside the group’s inaugural meeting and a petition calling for the society to disband reached over 18,000’ – it would have been refreshing for an article to have been written exposing these young, thuggish protesters who issued death and rape threats at the quietly stoic pro-lifers who needed police protection to escape unharmed. 

Eve had the audacity to mention Amnesty International and how it had analysed the increased expenditure of the British pro-life movement. It would also be refreshing if an article was written on where the financial backing for Amnesty comes from considering how much they spend funding the pro-abortion movement. Do donors realise the once  human-rights focused ‘charity’ now ironically supports dehumanisation of human life in the womb?

Instead, readers were served the now familiar, if not hackneyed, narrative that the UK pro-life movement is being swept up by a wave of American style Christianity. I find it frustrating that it seems the norm to use American connections as some kind of dark, sinister concern that people should be fearful of. Would that be accepted with any other country? It would be a welcome change to meet a BBC journalist who wasn’t fuelled by anti-American bigotry. 

Maybe Eve should do a bit of research on the pro-life demonstrations and marches in England in the 60’s and 70’s to see where our roots really lie. As G.K Chesterton once wrote…

Journalism is popular, but it is popular mainly as fiction.

Any donations welcome, both from those in the UK and America!