Birth-Control Ad Rejected by 2 TV Networks

A public-service television ad aimed at reducing the 3.3 million unintended pregnancies in the United States each year and curbing 1.5 million abortions has gotten the cold shoulder at two networks, an official of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said today.

CBS and ABC have refused to run the ad. NBC has the spot under review. Ted Turner’s CNN and Lifetime Cable have accepted it.

Dr. Luella Klein, an ACOG board member, said she has been told the spot, designed to reduce unintended pregnancies, was rejected because of the use of the word “contraceptive.”

“We do not run public service announcements of a controversial nature,” said CBS spokesman Jim Sirmans. “This is one of them.”

Allen Baker, a vice president at NBC, said his network has not accepted or rejected the spot. “At this point it has not been turned down,” he said.

3 Girls Depicted

The spot shows three girls--two of whom are studying and not pregnant. The third is pregnant. One girl says, “I intend to be President.” Girl No. 2 says, “I intend to go back to school.” The pregnant girl says, “I intended to have a family--but not this soon.”

The announcer says: “Nothing changes any intentions faster than an unintended pregnancy. Unintended pregnancies have risks. Greater risks than any of today’s contraceptives. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists wants you to have the facts. For your free booklet, call 1-800-INTENDS.”