Kansas Newspapers Criticized for Biased Coverage of Phill Kline and Abortion

From http://lifenews.com/state3879.html

Kansas Newspapers Criticized for Biased Coverage of Phill Kline and Abortion

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 20, 2009

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Wichita, KS (LifeNews.com) -- Two Kansas newspaper are drawing criticism from a leading statewide pro-life group for biased coverage about pro-life former county attorney Phill Kline and abortion. Kline has been repeatedly raked over the coals by the Kansas media for trying to hold the state's abortion industry accountable.

Newspapers like the Kansas City Star and Wichita Eagle have repeatedly criticized Kline for filing charges against Planned Parenthood and late-term abortion practitioner George Tiller.

The charges allege that the two abortion businesses violated state laws limiting late-term abortions and, for that, the newspapers have condemned Kline.

The latest attacks on the former attorney general and county district attorney, who has moved to Virginia to accept a teaching position at Liberty University, come in regard to an honest mistake that didn't directly involve Kline.

A box that contained copies of abortion records and information used the two cases Kline oversaw was mistakenly forwarded to Kline's new Virginia address.

Because the box was accidentally forwarded to Kline, Tiller's attorneys have claimed Kline can't be trusted and the charges he filed against the abortion practitioner should be dropped.

Unlike the Associated Press, which covered both sides of the mix-up, the Kansas City Star and Wichita Eagle only published comments from Tiller's attorneys without any commentary from Kline or his attorney.

That has drawn the ire of Mary Kay Culp, the director of Kansans for Life.

"Last night and this morning, the Wichita Eagle and sister newspaper Kansas City Star inexcusably reported only one side of a story about a box of court documents sent from the Sedgwick County court to the Johnson County District Attorney's office," Culp explains.

"The box was expected to return Phill Kline's personal diary, but also contained (unbeknownst to him or his staff) copies of summaries pertaining to the criminal case against abortionist George Tiller," she told LifeNews.com.

"Tiller's lawyers are now trying to use this mix-up by the Sedgwick County court to claim--again-- that Kline acted inappropriately and that such is a basis to drop criminal charges against Tiller, headed for court March 16," Culp continued.

"Unlike the Star/ Eagle, the Associated Press researched both sides before reporting," Culp told LifeNews.com. "The Star/Eagle chose to run with 'news' from Tiller's defense attorney with no balanced coverage, despite knowing that Judge Owens of Wichita would imminently rule on Tiller's motion alleging misconduct by Kline."

"This is just another desperate attempt by Tiller to avoid going to trial--something he should welcome if innocent," Culp concluded.

Culp urged pro-life advocates to contact the Eagle and Star newspapers to complain.

Related web sites:
Kansans for Life - http://www.kfl.org



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