TV Newscast for Kids - and by Kids - 'Enlightens, Not Frightens' Young Viewers; 'Teen/Kids News' Now Seen on More Than 200 Stations

TV Newscast for Kids - and by Kids - 'Enlightens, Not Frightens' Young Viewers; 'Teen/Kids News' Now Seen on More Than 200 Stations

NEW YORK, April 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Have you seen "Teen/Kids News," the TV news program that parents and teachers are actively encouraging young people to watch?

The weekly 30-minute newscast for 13-to-16-year-olds, anchored and reported by 13-to-16-year olds, is now seen on 207 stations from New York to Los Angeles to Guam, according to co-executive producer Alan Weiss.

This news program is also making news: The Today Show's recent "Teen/Kids News" segment, People magazine's feature story, and a station and airtime list are available at http://www.teenkidsnews.com/

"Studies clearly show the need for a newscast specifically for young teens," says Weiss: "One survey found nearly three out of four kids felt television news is much too negative, while other surveys reveal that youngsters often feel angry, fearful or depressed after viewing adult news programming."

T/KN, now in its second year, presents news that is age-appropriate, from story selection, writing and editing to delivery by peers. Each program begins with headlines, accompanied by selected footage from CNN, recapping the week's major events.

"Teens need to know what's going on in the world around them," says Weiss. "What they don't need is the litany of violence and tragedy that is the hallmark of so many news programs. Our mandate is to enlighten...not frighten."

But T/KN is about more than just presenting news in a kinder, gentler package.

Weiss points out that when teens see TV news coverage of their peers, it's often distorted, "because the focus is likely to be on teen crime and violence."

Besides the latest news, T/KN covers health and lifestyle issues that most interest teens. In addition to entertainment and sports, segments run the gamut from dating, driver safety, and college planning to coping with cliques, dealing with bullies and avoiding online scams.

"Teen/Kids News" was created by television news pioneer, Al Primo, who is credited with originating the "Eyewitness News" format, and developed with Weiss, a former ABC News producer and six-time Emmy winner, who heads Alan Weiss Productions, a leading New York video production company.

Weekly Reader, America's largest classroom periodical publisher, provides "Teen/Kids News" with editorial guidance. The program's scripts, which are available on Weekly Reader's Web site, are used by teachers nationwide to teach public speaking, reading and writing skills.

T/KN is carried by 192 middle schools in Maryland's largest school district and is seen by American military families in more than 170 countries via the American Forces Network.

While for most of the program's young on-air personalities, this is their first exposure to celebrity, the fledging broadcasters do include Cody Gifford, 15-year-old son of Frank and Kathie Lee Gifford and CNN anchor Paula Zahn's 15-year-old daughter, Haley.

Weiss says that all of the young anchors and reporters are becoming so professional that "if Brian Williams, Tim Russert and Katie Couric want a peek at the next generation of national news personalities," he knows where they should look.

NOTE TO MEDIA: To learn more about "Teen/Kids News," and its anchors, reporters and producers, please contact Marilou Yacoub of Alan Weiss Productions at 974-0606, or at myacoub@awptv.com

Source: Alan Weiss Productions

CONTACT: Marilou Yacoub of Alan Weiss Productions, +1-212-974-0606, myacoub@awptv.com; or Sanford Teller of Sanford Teller Communications, +1-212-717-0332, SanfordT@SanfordTeller.com, for Alan Weiss Productions

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

------- Profile: Ent