1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. What specific charges were brought against Daleiden and Merritt?

3. How did California Attorney General Xavier Becerra explain his reason for charging the pair with 15 felony counts?

4. a) What accusations did Mr. Daleiden make after being charged?
b) What information about Attorney General Becerra implies that it is possible he is not impartial?

5. What was in the videos recorded secretly by the undercover reporters?

6. The selling of human organs for profit is illegal, though no charges were ever brought against any of the Planned Parenthood employees in the videos. Do you think there is a possibility that the AG has a conflict of interest and is not impartial?  Explain your answer.

 
CHALLENGE: Planned Parenthood celebrated the indictments on social media, saying Attorney General Beccera “sends a clear message — you can’t target women & health care providers without consequences.”

WARNING: NOT FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS: Watch the videos under “Background” below. What do you think?

a) Are the pro-life activists acting as undercover journalists exposing potential criminal activity, or as people who have committed felonies? Explain your answer.

b) Should there be an investigation into Planned Parenthood’s potential practice of selling aborted baby body parts? Explain your answer.

c) Why do you think the undercover videos were not widely reported by the media, but the charges against the pro-life activists were?

d) Ask a parent to answer the same questions. Discuss your answers.