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CNN PRODUCTIONS TO RECEIVE PRESIDENT’S AWARD AT THE NEWS & DOCUMENTARY EMMY AWARDS AT LINCOLN CENTER, SEPT 21st IN NEW YORK CITY

New York, N.Y. – July 13, 2009 –The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced today that CNN Productions—the documentary unit of CNN—will receive the prestigious President’s Award at the annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards ceremony at the Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center on September 21, 2009.  The President’s Award is presented to an organization that has made a significant and distinguished contribution to the craft of broadcast journalism and documentary filmmaking.  The award will be presented by Frank Radice, President and Chief Marketing officer of NATAS.

“We are pleased to pay tribute to CNN and CNN Productions for its long-standing commitment to documentary programming,” said Radice.  “From its origins, CNN has been committed to long-form coverage of the most pressing issues of the day.  It has particularly distinguished itself in recent years, with outstanding documentaries on genocide, religious extremism, the struggle for peace in Northern Ireland, and many other important topics.”

“At a time when the traditional commercial networks have drastically curtailed their documentary production, CNN has continued to produce long form documentaries on topics of pressing interest,” said Bill Small, Chairman of News and Documentary Emmys at the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. “Their work is remarkable for its scope and quality.”

“As CNN approaches its 30th year, we are honored to receive this extraordinary recognition from the Academy.  Investing in long-form, investigative and enterprising reporting is critical to the future of quality journalism, and CNN remains committed to telling these stories as no other news organization can do,” said CNN/U.S. president Jon Klein.

Since its inception as a documentary division in 1998, the unit has moved from strength to strength in its long-form productions of the people, cultures, issues and major events of our times.  Along the way, CNN Productions has become the most honored documentary unit in cable network news, producing films for television on the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and Hurricane Katrina, the struggles of the unsung heroes who have tried to stop genocide, the extraordinary pathways of recovery for troops injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, and archeological developments in the human quest to know more about the historical Jesus.  CNN Productions has also filmed definitive biographies on America’s presidents and other political figures, Pope John Paul II, Olympic hopefuls and Osama bin Laden. 

A 24-part documentary series on the history of the Cold War resulted in a Peabody Award in 1998, and the 2006 co-production Autism is a World (with State of the Art, Inc.), earned the unit an Academy Award® nomination.  The biographical In the Footsteps of bin Laden was reported by chief internationalcorrespondent Christiane Amanpour and won a Sigma Delta Chi award from the Society of Professional Journalists in 2006.  God’s Warriors, a three-part documentary series reported by Amanpour on the rising political and cultural impact of Jewish, Christian and Muslim fundamentalism, won a Peabody Award and an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award.  

Under Klein’s leadership and, in recent years, the vice president and senior executive producer for CNN Productions, Mark Nelson, CNN Productions has focused on multi-hour event documentaries, and the unit continues to distinguish itself with broad viewership in addition to continued critical acclaim.

In 2008, CNN’s revealing Black in America series, reported by anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien, was seen by nearly 16 million viewers.  This July, the network will expand its “in America” series with a four-hour sequel, Black in America 2, and the four-hour Latino in America in October.  Christiane Amanpour’s Generation Islam, a two-hour documentary on the fight for the hearts and minds of Muslim youth in Gaza and Afghanistan will premiere in August, just prior to Afghanistan’s national elections.  Her Name Was Steven, a two-hour story of one man’s personal journey to become a transgendered woman is currently touring regional film festivals this summer and fall.

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About The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is a professional service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy® Award for News & Documentary, Sports, Daytime Entertainment, Daytime Creative Arts & Entertainment, Public & Community Service, Technology & Engineering, and Business & Financial Reporting.  Regional Emmy® Awards are given in 19 regions across the United States. NATAS also presents the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Global Media Awards™ which recognizes excellence in the world-wide intersection of digital entertainment and technology. Excellence in Primetime programming and international programming is recognized by its affiliate, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Beyond awards, NATAS has extensive educational programs including National Student Television and its Student Award for Excellence for outstanding journalistic work by high school students, as well as scholarships, publications, and major activities for both industry professionals and the viewing public.  For more information, please visit the website at www.emmyonline.tv

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For Press information, please contact:
Paul Pillitteri
Director, Communication/NATAS
212-586-8424
ppillitteri@emmyonline.tv