Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly Continues to Fill a Unique Niche As It Enters Season 18 on PBS

The series continues its unparalleled on-going coverage of religion, spirituality and key moral issues

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Sep 05, 2014, 02:14 ET

NEW YORK, Sept. 5, 2014 Network television's only weekly series on religion's role in American life, international news and major ethical issues, Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly, returns for its 18th season on Friday, September 5, 2014 at 5 p.m. on PBS (check local listings).

Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly logo (PRNewsFoto/WNET)

The premiere episode features a special report about the rising heroin epidemic and its impact on the faith community. Managing Editor Kim Lawton talks with prominent evangelical leader Rev. Richard Cizik, whose son, Richard Jr., died of a heroin overdose last year. Lawton also speaks with Michael Botticelli, acting director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, about the role faith groups can play in anti-drug efforts. (The segment is available to view on the series Web site in advance of the broadcast.) In the second segment of the season premiere, Lucky Severson reports on a Muslim man who forgave the gunman who almost shot him dead in revenge for the 9/11 attacks, and who has now made mercy and forgiveness his life's work.

Throughout the remainder of the season, 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, along with series host Bob Abernethy and managing editor Kim Lawton, will continue to travel the world, reporting stories about faith communities and moral issues, and filling a void that is often neglected by other mainstream media.

"It is an enormous pleasure to begin our 18^th year on the air, online and through more and more of social media," said Bob Abernethy, Host and Executive Editor of the series. "Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly remains the only network television program devoted to covering religion, spirituality and moral concerns, and their impact on American life. We are most grateful to our loyal audiences who find the show interesting, important and helpful."

To take Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly beyond the television broadcast and further explore the themes, stories and personalities of religion and ethics news, a companion website (pbs.org/religionandethics) features video of each weekly program and individual stories, transcripts of reports and interviews, related articles and additional resources, as well as exclusive "web-only" material.

Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly is a production of THIRTEEN Productions LLC for WNET, one of America's most prolific and respected public media providers.

Arnold Labaton is Executive Producer. Bob Abernethy is Host/Executive Editor. Kim Lawton is Managing Editor. Stephen Segaller is Executive-in-Charge.

Major funding for Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly is provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. with additional support from Mutual of America Life Insurance Company and individual supporters.

About WNET
As New York's flagship public media provider and 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, PBS NewsHour Weekend, Charlie Rose, Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly 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, NJTV News with Mary Alice Williams and MetroFocus, the multi-platform news magazine focusing on the New York region. WNET is also a leader in connecting with viewers on emerging platforms, including the THIRTEEN Explore iPad App where users can stream PBS content for free.