Rolling Stone Issues Correction Of Justin Bieber’s View On Abortion

by Alex Alvarez | 1:38 pm, February 17th, 2011

» 18 comments

The issue has yet to hit newsstands, but Rolling Stone‘s interview with teen pop star Justin Bieber has already created a sensation – and at least a bit of a confusion – online ever since it was revealed that the magazine asked the sixteen-year-old about his thoughts on abortion. As it turns out, the online version of the interview edited the content of Bieber’s original response, slightly altering the tone of his thoughts.

In the interview published online, the magazine had quoted Bieber as having said the following:

“I really don’t believe in abortion,” Bieber says. “It’s like killing a baby?” How about in cases of rape? “Um. Well, I think that’s really sad, but everything happens for a reason. I guess I haven’t been in that position, so I wouldn’t be able to judge that.”

But his original thoughts weren’t quite as precise or decisive:

“Um. Well, I think that’s really sad, but everything happens for a reason. I don’t know how that would be a reason. I guess I haven’t been in that position, so I wouldn’t be able to judge that.”

Emphasis ours.

The question we have, however, is why the magazine chose to add a question mark after “it’s like killing a baby.” Was Rolling Stone attempting to reflect Bieber’s typically adolescent inflection, or his confusion about the issue? And if the magazine chose to edit that sentence in such a way as to make Bieber seem either 1) young and, presumably, naive or 2) unsure about answering such a heavy question on politics and morality, then… why ask the kid about abortion in the first place? We’re fairly certain the issue would have flown off shelves without resorting to asking him questions that are sensational and arguably irrelevant to his role and his job.

h/t NY Observer

Abortion, Editing, Justin Bieber, Rolling Stone

writer

Next up, Justin’s views on Einstein’s Theory of Relativity.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Stephen-Hogan/179500970 Stephen Hogan

I felt he gave a very mature and intellectually-honest answer.
Puter Boi

So a “journalist” or “editor”…decided on their own to alter what the Biebs said…in order to create buzz and to sell more magazines?
Color me shocked….

SHOCKED I TELL YA!!

It has to be Happy Hour somewhere in the world…..I’m buyin!!!
AmeriCuda

Even after Bieber threw the lefties a bone with his “health care” views, I knew they would lash out over his views on abortion. Come on kid, don’t you know you’re only entitled to your opinion if it jibes with the baby killing leftists in the media? Buck up Justin, your on the right side of history, as well as the moral side. PRO-LIFE is now a majority opinion and is becoming more widespread with ever new advancement in ultrasound technology.
Arkansas Steve

The REAL QUESTION here isn’t what little Justin thinks about anything.

The REAL QUESTION here is: WHY THE HELL DID ALEX ALVAREZ think this non-story was worthy of being on Mediaite?

The ONLY logical reason is that “ALEX” isn’t a guy, but is a girl. And ALEX is in love with the Bieb. There’s just no other rational reason for this story to be here.
Alex Alvarez

Arkansas Steve said:
The REAL QUESTION here isn’t what little Justin thinks about anything.

The REAL QUESTION here is: WHY THE HELL DID ALEX ALVAREZ think this non-story was worthy of being on Mediaite?

The ONLY logical reason is that “ALEX” isn’t a guy, but is a girl. And ALEX is in love with the Bieb. There’s just no other rational reason for this story to be here.

It’s a story about ethics in reporting and, as such, merits being discussed on a site about media.

For the record: Yes, I’m female and, no, I’m not in love with a 16-year-old boy, although I’m not sure how my being male would have prevented me from having a crush on another male. And now I’ll throw in some capital letters, just for fun: SASSY!
Puter Boi

Alex Alvarez said:
It’s a story about ethics in reporting and, as such, merits being discussed on a site about media.

Alex…Alex…Alex…Stop making sense…..it’s confusing…..
Did I mention it’s Happy Hour?
Alex Alvarez

Puter Boi said:
Alex…Alex…Alex…Stop making sense…..it’s confusing…..
Did I mention it’s Happy Hour?

Hiccup / Cheers!
http://www.sarainitalyblog.blogspot.com/ sarainitaly

Alex Alvarez said:
ethics in reporting

isn’t that an oxymoron? ;O)

you are right, though, about it being important as far as their decision to change his meaning…
Arkansas Steve

Alex Alvarez said:
It’s a story about ethics in reporting and, as such, merits being discussed on a site about media. For the record: Yes, I’m female and, no, I’m not in love with a 16-year-old boy, although I’m not sure how my being male would have prevented me from having a crush on another male. And now I’ll throw in some capital letters, just for fun: SASSY!

Thanks for responding Alex. Most of the Alex’s I know are guys. Until I wrote this comment, I just assumed. Now my mental view of you has changed. I also appreciate your sense of humor and your SASSYness.

By the way, who is this Puter Boi guy? I like “him”, but he gets way more thumbs up than anybody deserves.
Alex Alvarez

Arkansas Steve said:
Thanks for responding Alex. Most of the Alex’s I know are guys. Until I wrote this comment, I just assumed. Now my mental view of you has changed. I also appreciate your sense of humor and your SASSYness.

By the way, who is this Puter Boi guy? I like “him”, but he gets way more thumbs up than anybody deserves.

Thanks, Steve!
greg454

I’m pro-choice, but I respect his answer. At least he’s politically incorrect, gotta give the Bieber credit and remind him to wear a condom the next time he does the nasty with one of the Bieberettes, after all, he doesn’t believe in abortion and a pregnant Bieber bitch is gonna cost him plenty of bucks.

Diet Coke draws controversy with new can.
http://libertarians4freedom.blogspot.com/2011/02/diet-coke-draws-controversy-with-new.html
anachronism

greg454 said:
<P Diet Coke draws controversy with new can.http://libertarians4freedom.blogspot.com/2011/02/diet-coke-draws-controversy-with-new.html

To whomever wrote that blog, it’s clearly Diet Pepsi. The picture of the Diet Pepsi can is the big hint. :)
stephenpyle

You don’t edit the Bieb.
greg454

“To whomever wrote that blog, it’s clearly Diet Pepsi. The picture of the Diet Pepsi can is the big hint. :)”
—You’re right, I fixed it.

No smokers need apply: Why you should care even if you don’t smoke.
http://libertarians4freedom.blogspot.com/2011/02/no-smokers-need-apply-why-you-should.html
CAconservative

My GODDDDD, does anybody give a rat’s ass what this child thinks?!! This is akin to caring about what Whoopi and Behar think. They don’t THINK….that’s the point!!!
Biscuit

AmeriCuda says:
February 17, 2011 at 2:26 pm AmeriCuda(Quote)
9 4
Even after Bieber threw the lefties a bone with his “health care” views, I knew they would lash out over his views on abortion. Come on kid, don’t you know you’re only entitled to your opinion if it jibes with the baby killing leftists in the media? Buck up Justin, your on the right side of history, as well as the moral side. PRO-LIFE is now a majority opinion and is becoming more widespread with ever new advancement in ultrasound technology.

Isn’t it you gun-loving right wingers who are the MURDERERS, toots? I mean, it’s not lefties murdering children now IS it, you deluded hypocrite? (hint hint)

Love the policies you hypocrites support that lead to the deaths of innocent mothers and children around the world. Typical right-winger.
http://www.squidoo.com/lauriebethsgrotto Laurie Beth

What are they thinking burdening a sixteen year old pop singer with this question?