Friday, December 21, 2012 8-9 p.m. ET on PBS
– Gwen Ifill anchors hour-long program pooling resources from PBS NewsHour, FRONTLINE, Washington Week, Need to Know, and NOVA to focus on issues affecting our communities in light of recent events–
December 19, 2012 - As the country comes together to grieve the loss of life in Newtown, a national conversation has begun about how to better protect and serve our communities in the face of catastrophe. The questions of how to respond to these tragedies face us all: government at all levels, educators, mental health professionals, the media, and individual Americans. Continuing PBS’ participation in this vital discussion, After Newtown, an hour-long special from WNET, airing on Friday, December 21 at 8:00 p.m., ET brings together news and public affairs teams from across PBS in a joint effort to analyze and illuminate the issues surrounding these events. PBS will offer additional insight and analysis with several new programs in the new year, to be announced.
After Newtown, anchored by Gwen Ifill, addresses such issues as access to guns and the politics of gun laws; mental illness in young adults; the science of detecting violent impulses; and how communities react to unspeakable tragedy. The program features in-studio interviews and conversations with regular contributors to Washington Week. Contributions from PBS hallmark news programming PBS NewsHour, FRONTLINE, Washington Week, Need to Know, and NOVA provide insight and analysis to After Newtown by pooling resources for the special.
“PBS is going beyond the headlines to provide a comprehensive look at this tragedy and provide a forum for an in-depth national conversation,” said PBS Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming Beth Hoppe.
WNET President and CEO Neal Shapiro adds, “PBS has brought together the resources of the nation’s most-trusted news and public affairs teams to advance a thoughtful and compassionate discussion about our country’s tragedy.”
The program will be streamed to national audiences at PBS.org/afternewtown and will be available after broadcast. On the site, viewers can also learn more about the issues discussed and are also encouraged to join the national conversation by using the Twitter hashtag #afternewtown.
After Newtown is a production of CNG for WNET in New York, in association with WGBH, WETA, and PBS NewsHour. Executive Producer: Stephen Segaller.
The program was made possible by public television viewers. For more information, visit: PBS.org/afternewtown
About PBS
PBS, with its nearly 360 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 123 million people through television and more than 21 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.
About WNET
In 2012, WNET is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of THIRTEEN, New York’s flagship public media provider. As the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, WNET brings quality arts, education and public affairs programming to over 5 million viewers each week. WNET produces and presents such acclaimed PBS series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, Need to Know, Charlie Rose and a range of documentaries, children’s programs, and local news and cultural offerings available on air and online. Pioneers in educational programming, WNET has created such groundbreaking series as Get the Math, Oh Noah! and Cyberchase and provides tools for educators that bring compelling content to life in the classroom and at home. WNET highlights the tri-state’s unique culture and diverse communities through NYC-ARTS, Reel 13, NJ Today and MetroFocus, the multi-platform news magazine focusing on the New York region.
– PBS –
CONTACTS: Harry Forbes, WNET, Tel: 212-560-8027; ForbesH@wnet.org
Jennifer Rankin Byrne, PBS, Tel: 703-739-5487; jrbyrne@pbs.org
Sarah Jarvis, WNET, Tel: 212-560-3005; JarvisS@wnet.org
For images and additional up-to-date information on this and other PBS programs, visit PBS PressRoom at pbs.org/pressroom.
