All three networks on Tuesday morning continued to pile on Governor Mike Pence and his state's religious freedom law. ABC, NBC and CBS focused almost exclusively on the critics of the law and pushed the idea that the legislation was bigoted. On Good Morning America, Gio Benitez acted as a prosecutor against the law. Talking to Indiana legislators, he demanded, "You're going to directly add into that law that it cannot be used to discriminate against anyone."
After playing footage of a crowd chanting, "no hate in our state," Benitez opined, "Now, this morning progress after protests." Pushing college basketball teams into the controversy, the journalist alerted, "ABC reaching out to the four teams. MSU's president telling us, 'We hope the citizens and lawmakers of Indiana can reach a consensus on how to best welcome all people.'"
Over on Today, Gabe Gutierrez followed a similar path, highlighting protests:
GABE GUTIERREZ: last night the CEO of Marriott had some very strong words for the law, calling it quote, "idiocy." This morning a stark editorial on the front page of The Indianapolis Star.
PROTESTERS: No hate in our state!
GUTIERREZ: It comes after more protests outside Monday night's city council meeting opposing Indiana's new Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
On CBS This Morning, Charlie Rose offered, "Cities and states are joining businesses this morning in boycotting Indiana over its controversial religious freedom law." Reporter Adriana Davis piled on:
ADRIANA DIAZ: Connecticut Governor Daniel Malloy joined the governor of Washington and the mayor of San Francisco in banning state and city funded travel to Indiana. Indianapolis-based Angie's List has already put a $40 million expansion project on hold.
BILL OESTERLE (Angie's List): We have senior executives in my firm that we recruited from out of state who are either gay, lesbian or transgender that now have to look around and go what sort of state did I move to?
A transcript of the March 31 GMA segment is below:
ROBIN ROBERTS: Now to the outrage over Indiana's religious freedom law. The governor there wrote an op-ed over night, again defending the law and now lawmakers in Indiana feeling the pressure from protests and boycotts, saying they are going to change the language to protect gays and lesbians against discrimination. ABC's Gio Benitez is there in Indianapolis with the latest. Good morning, Gio.
GIO BENITEZ: Good morning to you. Robin. Just take a look at the front page of the Indianapolis Star. That bold headline: "Fix this now." Legislators telling us that's exactly what they're going to do. Overnight, Indiana's governor clarifying his stance on the controversial Religious Freedom Act, saying in an op-ed he "abhors discrimination" and "If I saw a restaurant owner refuse to serve a gay couple, I wouldn't eat there anymore." This just two days after that heated interview with George.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Do you think it should be legal in the state of Indiana to discriminate against gays or lesbians.
GOVERNOR MIKE PENCE: George –
STEPHANOPOULOS: It's a yes or no question!
PENCE: Come on. Hoosiers don't believe in discrimination.
CROWD CHANTING: No hate in our state!
BENITEZ: Now, this morning progress after protests.
CROWD CHANTING: We'll never be defeated.BENITEZ: Indiana legislators telling ABC News they're now to revise key language in the Religious Freedom Law, that clause critics fear could protect businesses that discriminate against gay and lesbian customers. You're going to directly add into that law that it cannot be used to discriminate against anyone.
SPEAKER BRIAN BOSMA (R-Indiana House of Representatives): It's our intent to make crystal clear in the language that that type of discrimination is not allowed.
BENITEZ: Those changes could be made within days, but they might not come fast enough for the four teams heading here for the Final Four college basketball tournament this weekend. The players trying to focus on the game as they prepare to walk into this political firestorm.
MARK EMMERT (NCAA President): I'm anxiously awaiting whatever clarification that the legislature can bring forward to this bill.
BENITEZ: The NCAA calling the law "completely inconstant" with its values.
MARK EMMERT: We've expressed our displeasure with it and, frankly, I was really surprised that it passed.
BENITEZ: ABC reaching out to the four teams. MSU's president telling us, "We hope the citizens and lawmakers of Indiana can reach a consensus on how to best welcome all people." And this morning, at least eight other states are considering similar laws. But given what's happening here, they may face some early opposition, George.
