Spineless in South Dakota
The state's top newspaper refuses to run any editorial on abortion--despite the recent statewide abortion ban that may go to the Supreme Court. "Rather than change anyone's mind, we would create another controversy," says an editor.Editor & Publisher:
Although the biggest abortion rights story in 33 years is taking place in its own backyard, South Dakota’s largest newspaper will not editorialize on the controversial statewide abortion ban just recently approved by its legislature.
“Part of it was that we wouldn’t change people’s minds, and part of it, regardless of which side we came down on this, is that people would read into it things that are not true,” Chuck Baldwin, editorial page editor of the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls, S.D., told E&P. “People would think our coverage is tainted, and not just on abortion but on everything.”
Your support is crucial...As we navigate an uncertain 2025, with a new administration questioning press freedoms, the risks are clear: our ability to report freely is under threat.
Your tax-deductible donation enables us to dig deeper, delivering fearless investigative reporting and analysis that exposes the reality beneath the headlines — without compromise.
Now is the time to take action. Stand with our courageous journalists. Donate today to protect a free press, uphold democracy and uncover the stories that need to be told.
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.