FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 10, 2024

Contact: Loretta Kane (loretta@caminopr.com or 917-410-7242)

New tool released to help journalists combat misinformation on pregnancy, contraception and IVF

New stylebook targets increasing contraceptive misinformation/disinformation and politicization of contraceptive policy

WASHINGTON – Today, Contraceptive Access Initiative (CAI), in partnership with Power to Decide, launched the groundbreaking "Stylebook and Coverage Guide on Pregnancy, Contraception and IVF," a new resource designed to help journalists navigate reproductive health reporting.

Public misinformation about contraception and IVF has fueled wide spreading misunderstanding about medical facts.  A recent survey of mainstream media coverage of contraception and IVF, conducted by CAI, found a persistent trend of misinformation and journalistic practices that could fuel misinformation in stories about contraception and political battles. This guide is aimed at helping journalists navigate the contentious reproductive health political landscape so they can report with clarity and accuracy. 

“The policy debates around contraception and IVF is rife with medical misinformation, necessitating additional resources and support for journalists covering these issues.” said Dr. Raegan McDonald-Mosley, chief medical advisor at CAI and CEO of Power to Decide. “Reproductive health policy should always be rooted in established medical science, which is the foundation of this important new resource.”

Key points from the guide include:

  • Insights about the contraceptive and IVF policy battleground and tips for maintaining medical accuracy when presented with conflicting “facts;” 

  • The unique way that headline writing and related story links an fuel contraceptive misinformation; and

  • A glossary of terms, including non-medical terms addressing medical issues that are in common use.

Additionally, two short explainer videos are aimed at helping journalists navigate this landscape:

“Mis- and dis-information about contraceptives and IVF in the media drives policies that restrict access,” said Dana Singiser, co-founder of CAI. “By equipping journalists and other writers with this guide, we aim to promote medically accurate coverage and avoid inadvertently giving fuel to campaigns aimed at reducing access to contraception and IVF.”

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The nonprofit Contraceptive Access Initiative advocates for increasing access to contraception, free from stigma, bias and coercion. CAI supports affordable over-the-counter access to oral contraception without restrictions. Our work reduces misinformation and challenges disinformation, while uplifting educational content that helps people make the choices that are right for them.


Power to Decide is a private, non-partisan, nonprofit organization that works to ensure all people — no matter who they are, where they live, or what their economic status might be — have the power to decide if, when and under what circumstances to get pregnant or have a child.