ProPublica Wins Pulitzer Prize for Exploiting Women

ProPublica just won a Pulitzer Prize—the highest award in journalism—for a series that pushed dangerous abortion pill propaganda and twisted real women’s tragedies into political weapons.

Their “Life of the Mother” series, which ran during the 2024 election season, claimed that pregnant mothers died because Pro-Life laws supposedly delayed their medical care. One of the most high-profile stories in that series centered around Amber Thurman, who tragically passed away with her unborn twins. ProPublica claimed her death was caused by Pro-Life laws. But that’s not the whole truth—and they knew it.

In reality, Amber had taken abortion pills and suffered serious complications. The outlet called it a “rare case.” But here’s what they left out: Abortion is dangerous for women. A recent study found that one in nine women who take the abortion pill experience dangerous or even life-threatening complications—like extreme bleeding, infection, or sepsis. That’s not rare. That’s a public health crisis.

So why did ProPublica win an award for this? The Pulitzer board praised them for “urgent reporting” and claimed that “vague” Pro-Life laws stopped doctors from helping women. But that’s simply not how Pro-Life policies work. Every measure passed since Roe v. Wade was overturned includes clear protections for life-saving care. No woman is ever meant to be denied help in a medical emergency. If that’s happening, it’s a failure of hospital policy or misinformation—not the Pro-Life law.

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Let’s also not forget: The FDA originally approved mifepristone (the abortion pill) for use only up to 7 weeks of pregnancy. In 2016, under the Obama administration, that limit was pushed to 10 weeks—despite growing evidence of increased risks the further along a woman is. Amber Thurman was nine weeks pregnant with twins when she took the pill.

So what are we really awarding here? Journalism that misleads women, misrepresents laws, and fuels fear—all while hiding the real risks of chemical abortion?

While mainstream media applauds this narrative, Pro-Life advocates are fighting to share the truth: Abortion pills are not “safe and simple.” They’re a growing threat to women and preborn children. And we owe women better than fear-driven stories that manipulate tragedy for clicks and awards.

Pro-Life laws are meant to protect both women and babies, not harm them. In fact, the Texas Heartbeat Act alone saved nearly 10,000 children in just eight months of 2022. That’s why Texas Right to Life is working to take the next step to save mothers and babies from abortion pills: the Woman and Child Protection Act (HB 5510 & SB 2880). The policy will stop activists from trafficking these deadly drugs into our state by allowing ordinary citizens to sue companies and organizations that work to kill preborn babies.

This and other Pro-Life bills are waiting on a committee vote in the Texas House.

Now is our moment to act. Let’s pray these life-saving policies move forward—and let’s keep standing for truth in a culture clouded by misinformation. Because women deserve protection, not propaganda. And every baby deserves a chance at Life.