Al Roker Entertaiment - Al Roker Investigates

Program Kicks Off Internet Safety Day And Network Public Service Initiative

(July 22 - Los Angeles, CA)

Court TV's documentary special, Al Roker Investigates: Katie.com premieres Wednesday, July 28, 2004 at 10:00 PM ET/PT. Examining the startling growth of internet deception, the show focuses on the deeply personal story of Katie Tarbox, a young girl who was attacked by a 41-year-old sexual predator she met in an online teen chat room. The program is part of a series of compelling documentary specials on America’s most controversial social issues produced and hosted by Al Roker.

In her searing autobiography, Katie.com, Katie Tarbox shares the cautionary tale of her teenage experiences in internet chat rooms. A lonely and self-conscious 13-year-old, Katie was thrilled to meet “Mark,” her “cyber soulmate,” who seemed to understand her thoughts and feelings and shared her interests. After many cyber chats and phone conversations, Katie agreed to meet “Mark,” and was shocked to discover he was not the clean-cut 23-year-old she expected, but a 41-year-old man who attempted to sexually assault her. After her frightening ordeal, she was compelled to write Katie.com to educate teens and parents about the threats that exist on the Internet.

“What is so frightening about Katie’s story is that it could happen to any of our children if we are not careful,” says Roker. “Katie.com is a wake-up call to parents everywhere to be aware of what their children are seeing and doing when they surf the net.”

In addition to a frank interview with Katie Tarbox, Roker talks with Ernie Allen, President and Chief Executive Officer for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), who shares his insight and offers tips for parents on how to prevent their children from visiting chat rooms.

The program is the start of a new public service initiative between Court TV and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which will begin with the proclamation of July 28th as Internet Safety Awareness Day. Throughout the coming months, Court TV will be developing events, public service announcements, and classroom curriculums to kick-start the public dialogue on this important issue.

Al Roker Investigates: Katie.com™ was produced for Court TV by Courlei Productions Inc. Al Roker served as Executive Producer, Kathy McManus and Bill Petrick as Supervising Producers, Amy Perrette as Producer, and Susan Iger as Executive in Charge of Production.

Court TV – The Investigation Channel™ is the leader in the investigation genre, providing a window on the American system of justice through distinctive programming that both informs and entertains. Court TV telecasts trials by day and high-profile original programs like Forensic Files® and popular off-network series like NYPD Blue® in the evening. Court TV is 50% owned by Time Warner, and 50% owned by Liberty Media Corp. The network is seen in over 81 million homes. (www.Courttv.com or AOL Keyword: Court TV)

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