Since its debut in 1997, RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY has set itself apart from the mainstream media by providing distinctive, cutting-edge news coverage and analysis of national and international events in the ever-changing religious world. Hosted by veteran journalist Bob Abernethy and produced by Thirteen/WNET New York, the acclaimed one-of-a-kind TV show examines religion’s role — and the ethical dimensions — behind top news headlines.
Correspondents Saul Gonzalez, Fred de Sam Lazaro, Tim O’Brien, Deborah Potter, Betty Rollin, Lucky Severson and Judy Valente, along with managing editor Kim Lawton, travel around the nation and the globe to explore how issues of faith, religion and ethics shape both national and international events. Newsmakers, scholars and policy analysts also provide insightful perspectives in roundtable discussions from the show’s studio in Washington, DC.
Winner of more than 115 industry awards — including the Sigma Delta Chi, the Gracie Allen, the Chicago TV Fest, New York Festival and CINE Golden Eagle — the program has been hailed by the Religion Newswriters’ Association for setting “a national standard for balanced and fair coverage of religious topics.” Phil Mushnick with The New York Post says, “Week after week, R & E similarly delivers, helping restore one’s faith in, of all things, television.” And Charles Honey of The Grand Rapids Press writes, “As far as news stories go, there are none better.”
To complement the program’s weekly broadcast, RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY offers a Web site, pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics, and a companion viewers’ guide. The Web site features individual show transcripts, streaming video of weekly reports, full transcripts of interviews with notable guests, related articles dealing with significant issues in religion and ethics news, a list of related resources and an online pressroom featuring downloadable versions of the program press kit and quarterly newsletter, as well as detailed summaries of individual stories. Audio and video podcasts of the program are also available. The Viewers’ Guide, which includes essays, discussion questions and resources, may be downloaded from the Web site or ordered free of charge by writing to “Religion & Ethics Guide,” P.O. Box 245, Little Falls, NJ 07424-0245.
Major funding for RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY is provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. with additional support from Mutual of America Life Insurance Company, The Henry Luce Foundation, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and individual supporters.
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“I find Abernethy and his team of correspondents so refreshing. They take a thoughtful, in-depth approach to religious issues often skimmed over or sensationalized by mass media . . . Abernethy and crew are reporting the depths of meaning millions find in faith amid chaos. As far as news stories go, there are none better.”
– GRAND RAPIDS PRESS
“Week after week, R & E similarly delivers, helping restore one’s faith in, of all things, television.”
– THE NEW YORK POST
“Religion is usually covered only as it pertains to other news stories . . . That’s what makes news ventures such as PBS’s RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY . . . all the more newsworthy.”
– TELEVISION WEEK
“RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY provides an important source of information to members of the general public who may not understand the nuances of the religious world that it reveals.”
– RELIGION NEWS SERVICE
“Anchored by an experienced, low-key TV newsman Bob Abernethy . . . RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY defies market expectations. The TV program and Web site . . . become a precious library for research.”
– NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER
“RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY . . . has become a respected voice in the conversation about American religion and culture.”
– PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
“The show has become something of a blueprint for how to accurately report on religion.”
– THE DES MOINES REGISTER
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Your recent segment on juvenile criminals serving life sentences was quite interesting. Important questions were left unanswered by Professor Annino and others featured in the segment.
What if Professor Annino was 100% successful in gaining parole for the incarcerated prisoners? What would be the cost /benefit to society? How many innocent women, men and children will be robbed, beaten, raped, or murdered by the released criminals? Secondarily, what is the economic cost of crimes likely to be committed by the release of once juvenile criminals?
There is surly a comprehensive set of statistics of juvenile criminals who have served time and been released. This data could be used to accurately forecast the incremental harm likely to be perpetrated.
I admire Professor Annino’s compassion. I urge the Professor to channel his compassion to innocent victims and their families. Professor Annino’s contribution to society would likely be far greater if his efforts were directed to the innocent rather to criminals.
Ur show is informative and i enjoy it. Thank You
Have you done anything recently about the 57 IOC nations at the UN who have pushed through an anti-blasphemy resolution which has aims of criminalizing criticism of Islam? I’ve seen people on the fringes talking about it (a lot of atheists, and people who are looking for excuses to bulldoze the UN), but it would be nice to see a mainstream examination of the effects such a resolution would have on stifling free speech.
I hope you’ll take a look at the Southern Poverty Law Center’s recent coverage of the Pius church movement based in Texas and talk about it on your show.
I applaud your program and watch it frequently. I am not, nor would I wish to be associated with any religious organization, and your program reflects what I would hope to be unbiased journalism at it’s best.
The Lucky Severnson segment on today’s program (May 29th 20010) should receive an Emmy, should be seen by all people of all faiths, as well as those who have no “organized faith” but who have any regard for the undeniable concept that we are universally related to one another as human beings. The interview with Michael Abatello should be seen by a world wide audience. Thank you and thank PBS for your ongoing efforts. Sincerely, Don Juhlin
your program is wonderful because of its honest and non-judgemental delivery…most informative..best “reality show” on the air!
I greatly appreciate and enjoy your show, WNIT 34, South Bend-Elkhart, Indiana. It is gratifying to see fair and balanced reporting on religious topics. Thank you.
Dear Mr. Abernathy,
We particularly enjoyed the segment on the program of April 23rd about the abandoned Arabic village outside of Jerusalem. It is important that people lean about these things, and it would be a wonderful thing if Israel took a bold step and saved it as a heritage site.
However- and i say this as a Jewish American- Israel wishes to obliderate the past and remnants of the Arabic presence in areas it holds. Americans know so little of what happened- and is happening- in Palestine, I’m sorry to say, but little segments like the one you presented today, certainly are informative.. Thank you. Harry Katz
Thank you for the segment on the costs to our society for end of life care that often does little to provide comfort or marked improvement for those who will surely die within a short period of time.
It is inhumane to let patients suffer a process of prolonged dying when the huge amounts of money spent could be used to help the millions in this country who lack health coverage. As an advocate for single payer health coverage, or Medicare for All, I am constantly trying to provide information that will dispel this much misunderstood and unaccepted concept.
The program covered the many reasons why it must be examined, evaluated and abandoned when it will do little or no good, I hope other thoughtful television programs will deal with this subject.
I always listen/watch R&E on pbs/ Ch 13 in NYC. Two comments: It is NOT listed in the NYC guide for the 5:30 PM sunday slot – the sunday listings stop at 5, the evening listings start at 6: I have left messages at ch 13 re this but it has not changed/ perhaps you can ask them to list $&# on the Sunday lsiting at 5:30!! And, I was concerned that I thought Sam Lazaru had said that Obama was raesing the gay issue (Uganda) to get votes in the elecion, but I see from the online transcript that it was the conservative man in Uganda who said this , tho Sam Lazaru did not challenge it. I think we can assume that Pres Obama is also doing it becaue it si right to raise this issue! if it gets him votes from gay people and their firends, so be it; it will also cost him votes from homophobic folks. What a naste election process we have!!
Good luck with your program – it is important! If you need a commentator re Islam, check out Fr. Dan Madigan,SJ, at Georgetown U in DC 0 he is an expert in this area and a Woodstock fellow as well. Australian tho has lived in US for a long time. Phd in Islamic studies from Columbia, author, highly knowledgeable and a geat speaker!! Regards, jane Thomspon
Thank you for your unusual, very rare and fine programming. I did not know anything as balanced and fine as
this remained in America.
It was mentioned that I could vote for you for an award. Sorry cant seem to find that website.