WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today sent letters to Discovery, A&E Networks, Crown Media Holdings, and USA Network to request information related to recent claims that the networks refused to air advertisements promoting Pure Flix’s pro-life movie, Unplanned.

 Excerpt from the letter:

“On March 31, 2019, Pure Flix’s film Unplanned opened nationwide. The film is based on the true story of Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood clinic director, who left the organization to become a pro-life activist.

“It has been reported that [Network Name] refused to air advertisements for Unplanned ‘due to the sensitive nature of the film.’ It has also been reported that efforts to market the movie ‘have been consistently rebuffed by TV networks.’ Amid myriad claims of media platforms silencing conservative voices, I am deeply troubled by these reports.

“In today’s media marketplace, media platforms – of all types – offer critical forms of communication for Americans to connect, share information, and interact with content. Despite the constantly-evolving media landscape, traditional and new forms of media have a responsibility to remain a reliable and trusted source for viewers and users who want to be informed about local commercial activity.” 

In the letter, Senator Wicker asked the networks to provide information on the company’s policies, procedures, and guidelines for advertisements.

Read the full letter here.