CBS Issues Annual Social Responsibility Report

CBS Issues Annual Social Responsibility Report

Network Broadcaster Highlights Efforts Made in Community Outreach, Programming and Diversity Initiatives

NEW YORK, April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third year in a row, CBS has cataloged efforts by its television network, programming arms and local television stations in a 119-page Social Responsibility Report, which is being released today. The third edition spans the previous calendar year, encompassing activities of all divisions of CBS, including CBS Entertainment, CBS News, CBS Sports, the Viacom Television Stations Group and UPN.

The report is being released in hardcopy and electronic form, and will also be available for download at http://www.cbspressexpress.com/.

"We've always believed that being corporate citizens and giving back to the communities we serve is not just good for business, but part of our responsibility of being a broadcaster," said Leslie Moonves, Co-President and Co-Chief Operating Officer, Viacom and Chairman, CBS. "It is often said that television is perhaps the most powerful medium available to us in society, and this report demonstrates how we used this power for good in important areas like outreach, programming, dedication and support of local talent and diversity."

Included in the reports are activities in such areas as:

* Diversity Initiatives, including the recently-formed CBS Writers Mentoring Program, talent showcases and industry-partners, as well as additional programs offered through CBS News and the Viacom Television Stations;

* Accessible Media programs like closed-captioning and Second Audio Programming, which CBS continues to be a leader in providing;

* National and local broadcast of public service announcements for causes like responsible drinking, child abuse prevention, HIV awareness, racial tolerance, alcohol and substance abuse, parenting, violence prevention and hunger/disaster relief;

* Local broadcasts of community parades, festivals and fund-raisers, as well as the sponsorship of hundreds of local community events like food and clothing drives, disaster relief, education initiatives, family friendly events and telethons;

* CBS News' continuing coverage of important events such as the war in Iraq, including honoring fallen soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as Campaign '04 leading up to the Presidential election and inauguration. Also highlighted are many of the hundreds of stories produced by CBS News that have affected -- and in many cases benefited -- the lives of viewers.

"We're very proud to issue this comprehensive report -- it is representative of the positive contributions our company has made to communities throughout the country," said Gil Schwartz, Executive Vice President, CBS Communications Group. "This annual effort highlights achievements that we have made in several areas that are very important to CBS."

CBS Television is comprised of the CBS Television Network -- with more than 200 owned and affiliated stations reaching virtually every television home in the United States; the Network's programming arms CBS Entertainment, CBS News and CBS Sports; and CBS Enterprises, a global leader in distribution.

Source: CBS

CONTACT: Dana McClintock, +1-212-975-1077, dlmcclintock@cbs.com, or Jeremy Murphy, +1-212-975-4577, jeremy.murphy@cbs.com, both of CBS

Web site: http://www.cbspressexpress.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/965075.html

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