Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly Explores the Role of Religion in the 2012 Election in a New Season on PBS

Premiering on September 7, 2012, the award-winning PBS series continues to deliver one-of-a-kind news coverage from around the nation and around the world in Season 16.

NEW YORK, Aug. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The most distinctive, informed and one-of-a-kind coverage of religion, spirituality and ethics in American life, Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly, returns for its 16th season on Friday, September 7, 2012 at 5 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings).

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This political year, Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly includes special reports by Kim Lawton from both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions.  The program's political coverage will continue throughout the campaign and the election, emphasizing religion's role in voters' decisions and the most controversial social issues.

At the same time, the program will continue its reporting from around the country and the world on spirituality in the lives of men and women of all religions, and none.  It will also cover the major trends and movements in American religious life, including its divisions and controversies.  It will examine major ethical issues, especially difficult medical decisions; and it will continue its much-praised profiles of men and women whose faith leads them to extraordinary actions.

The work of Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly's award-winning team of correspondents, including Lucky Severson, Fred de Sam Lazaro, Judy Valente, Saul Gonzalez, Betty Rollin, Tim O'Brien, Deborah Potter and Bob Faw, continues to fill a void that is often neglected by other mainstream media.

Winner of more than 145 awards, the program has been hailed by the Religion Newswriters' Association for setting "a national standard for balanced and fair coverage of religious topics."  The program's Web site, www.pbs.org/religionandethics, has also been nationally recognized for its online creativity, innovation and content, winning the prestigious Webby Award from the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Missy Daniel is the Editor of the Web site, and Fred Yi is Assistant Editor.

Since the program's beginning in 1997, its principal funder has been Lilly Endowment, Inc. of Indianapolis.  Additional support for Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly is provided by Mutual of America Life Insurance Company, The Jane Henson Foundation and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.  Arnold Labaton is Executive Producer; Bob Abernethy, Host/Executive Editor; Phil O'Connor, Supervising Producer; Kim Lawton, Managing Editor; and Stephen Segaller, Executive in Charge, WNET.

Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly is a production of THIRTEEN in association with WNET, the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21, New York's public television stations and operator of NJTV.  For 50 years, THIRTEEN has been making the most of the rich resources and passionate people of New York and the world, reaching millions of people with on-air and online programming that celebrates arts and culture, offers insightful commentary on the news of the day, explores the worlds of science and nature, and invites students of all ages to have fun while learning.

About WNET
In 2012, WNET is celebrating the 50^th 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 the new online newsmagazine MetroFocus.

SOURCE Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly