Leading Women’s and Reproductive Rights Groups Commend NBC for Airing Groundbreaking Friday Night Lights Episode

Washington, D.C. – Today, a broad coalition of leading women's and reproductive-rights groups – organized by Choice USA, NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation, and the Women's Media Center – sent a letter to NBC Universal President & CEO Jeff Zucker, commending his network for airing a recent episode of the series Friday Night Lights. The episode, which aired on July 9, did something few television programs have done. It presented a thoughtful and compelling storyline about a young woman facing an unintended pregnancy who chooses abortion.

The letter commending Mr. Zucker's network and a list of signatories follow:

An Open Letter to NBC Universal President and CEO Jeff Zucker:

We commend your network for airing the "I Can't" episode of Friday Night Lights on July 9.

As organizations and individuals who advocate on behalf of reproductive health and rights, we appreciate seeing such an honest depiction on network television of a young woman's decision to choose abortion.

No television program can fully reflect reality, but Friday Night Lights showed the personal experience a woman goes through to make her choice. This episode also incorporated discussions of the state laws that can make the situation even more difficult for young women.

Thank you again for your willingness to portray the decision to choose abortion honestly, especially when most networks never show this choice or discuss it thoughtfully.

We hope the entertainment industry takes note. There is room in prime-time television for constructive programming that respectfully addresses the full range of options for women facing an unintended pregnancy.

Signed,

Advocates For Youth
Choice USA
Civil Liberties and Public Policy at Hampshire College
Ibis Reproductive Health
Illinois Choice Action Team
Ipas
Law Students for Reproductive Justice
NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation
NARAL Pro-Choice Arizona
NARAL Pro-Choice California
NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado
NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut
NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland
NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts
NARAL Pro-Choice New Hampshire
NARAL Pro-Choice New York
NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina
NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio
NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon
NARAL Pro-Choice Texas
NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia
NARAL Pro-Choice Washington
NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin
National Council of Jewish Women
National Organization for Women
National Women's Law Center
Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health
Religious Institute
Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS)
Women's Media Center

(List is in alpha order.)

The letter can also be viewed online.

Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032