MTV’s Abortion Special Draws, Stifles Debate

Last night, MTV – the network which is doing its part to ensure that teens will view pregnancy as a damper on their social lives – aired a special on abortion. No Easy Decision, a half-hour show, followed teenager Markai Durham (pictured) through the process of deciding to get, and then ultimately obtaining, an abortion. As it happens, Durham is no stranger to MTV reality shows about teen wombs – she was formerly one of the subjects of 16 and Pregnant and has a young daughter with her boyfriend.

The show has inspired something of a mixed reaction in the myriad media outlets covering it. Fox News diplomatically elected to call the special “controversial,” while NewsBusters took note of several outlets’ kid glove treatment of “infanticide.” Entertainment Weekly‘s review of the show praised it for its “frankness:”

With a frankness rarely seen anywhere on television, No Easy Decision presented a vivid, unsparing look at something that’s not just an “issue” but a harrowing decision.

Gawker Media’s Jezebel praised the show for its “balanced, clear-eyed take” on the issue of abortion.

The series has inspired a slightly stronger – and less diplomatic – reaction from its (presumably teenage) viewers, prompting a harsh message on Durham’s official Facebook fan page:

Let me say this again: If you DONT like Markai or her decision. UNLIKE the page, its simple. Markai feels enough pain for making her choice, she DOESNT need to be ridiculed for it. Shes been honest with you when she could have hid it. Have some respect or leave! Seriously there are plenty of pages “talking shit” so go there. Dont waste your time writing Im just going to ban you so she wont even see it! [sic]

The great spirit of debate rages on!