PBS Special After Newtown Furthers National Conversation About Recent Tragedies and Related Issues

– 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 –

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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.

“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.”

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: http://www.pbs.org/about/news/archive/2012/after-newtown/

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