NEW YORK, NY - September 30, 2002 - This fall Court TV will launch a new public service broadcast and education initiative, "Empowering Children in the Aftermath of Hate." This initiative is part of Court TV's award-winning ongoing public service program, Choices and Consequences, and is being produced in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Cable in the Classroom (CIC), the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), National Middle School Association (NMSA), the National PTA and the We Are Family Foundation (WAFF). The initiative, which seeks to reinforce values of acceptance and diversity, includes a written resource guide, a companion video and a comprehensive Web component, and targets a broad range of students from elementary through middle school age. A half-hour special, "Empowering Children in the Aftermath of Hate," will premiere on Court TV October 4, 2002 at 8:00 a.m. (ET/PT).

"Empowering Children in the Aftermath of Hate" addresses a number of social topics including stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination and scapegoating. Through learning exercises developed by the ADL, children and adults can work together to develop skills and understanding that foster respect of one's self and others. The written resource materials are available to teachers and parents via the Internet and in addition, selected clips from the 30-minute special are available for viewing on the Web site (http://www.courttv.com/choices). All materials are available through Court TV as well.

The 30-minute special includes young children and teens discussing their feelings about acceptance and diversity post-September 11th. Court TV anchors Catherine Crier and James Curtis host the special and in a moving introduction, First Lady Laura Bush shares her perspective on the importance of talking with children about acceptance - particularly in the aftermath of September 11th. Producer/songwriter Nile Rodgers ("We Are Family") hosts a portion of the video and has created a special music video segment with many popular children's television characters. The program also features artwork created by New York City students in response to the events of September 11th. These young artists' expressions, reflecting themes of grief, healing and hope, were first presented through the ARTifacts exhibition, a project of the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, currently on display in New York City (www.artandwriting.org).

"In the aftermath of September 11th, it is vital to educate children about acceptance," said Henry Schleiff, Chairman and CEO of Court TV. "We hope this new element in our ongoing Choices and Consequences program will provide cable operators, educators and parents a way to address some very timely and important concerns."

Court TV will alert educators to this initiative via extensive outreach by the partners, targeting over 60,000 elementary and middle schools nationally. In addition to the October 4 premiere date on Court TV, "Empowering Children in the Aftermath of Hate" will air for taping, every Saturday in October (early in the morning) at 4:00 a.m. (ET/PT), which is Court TV's regularly scheduled Cable in the Classroom time slot.

Court TV's Choices and Consequences is a Beacon Award-winning public affairs and education program that empowers youth to act responsibly and contribute positively to society. Through the use of communications tools, teachers, parents and caring adults are able to educate youth with information that is critical to their long-term well being. The overall goal of Choices and Consequences is to sensitize youth to the risks of aggressive, antisocial behavior with the realization that decisions made in a moment can have consequences for a lifetime.

"Empowering Children in the Aftermath of Hate" is being produced in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League (www.adl.org), Cable in the Classroom (www.ciconline.org), the National Association of Elementary School Principals (www.NAESP.org), National Middle School Association (www.nmsa.org), the National PTA (www.pta.org) and the We Are Family Foundation (www.wearefamilyfoundation.org). The ADL has drafted the written resource guide and Court TV has produced the 30-minute special. For more information on each organization please consult their Websites.

Court TV (www.courttv.com or AOL Keyword: Court TV), a basic cable network, provides a window on the American system of justice through distinctive programming that both informs and entertains. As the destination for programming that focuses on the investigative process, Court TV broadcasts trials by day and such brand defining original programs as Forensic Files and such popular off-network series as NYPD Blue in the evening. The network reaches more than 73 million homes.

# # #

Contacts:

Leslie Schwartz Goodman Media Int'l. 212-576-2700

Carole Shander Court TV 212-973-2629