The Hatchet's Blood Money: Newspaper Releases Paid Ad From Abortion Mill

The Right Angle Editorial Board

On Nov. 19, The Hatchet, a student-run newspaper at The George Washington University, released a paid Instagram advertisement for CaraFem, a local abortion clinic. The post’s caption read, “Whether you need an abortion, birth control, or just have questions about reproductive healthcare, CaraFem is here for you…” placing abortion alongside routine medical services.

This statement raised serious concerns among students at GW. The Hatchet had chosen a small payday over the many young women on campus who read their paper. 

The causal commodification of human life and intentional misguiding of young mothers for profit is nothing short of appalling.

“Most students on this campus pride themselves on advocating for human rights for all,” Carly Shrivanek, president of Students for Life GW, said. “Unfortunately, many don’t advocate for the basic human rights of those who are most vulnerable.”

For many, the advertisement didn’t just represent poor judgment, but a deeper moral issue. The combination of the commodification of human life and a message directed at students who are often far from their home and normal support network seemed predatory.

“I find it disheartening that an abortion clinic feels the need to advertise to and target female students… It is even more disheartening that The Hatchet allowed this to happen,” Shrivanek explained.

Students also questioned why The Hatchet, which stresses its neutrality and importance to the GW community, would platform an ad that devalues human life.

“It’s time we stand up for all human rights and for life, and stop picking and choosing which human lives are most valuable,” Shrivanek stated.

​The Right Angle wholly condemns The Hatchet for this sponsorship. No student publication should put financial gain over human life and their own viewers. It is irresponsible and unethical for The Hatchet to profit from allowing an abortion clinic to utilize its platform in order to target vulnerable viewers.