Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Hard-hitting news documentaries for teens and up.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Frontline
What's the Story?
FRONTLINE is a hard-hitting, magazine-style documentary news series that looks at contemporary, often-controversial issues, focusing on the people who work on the frontlines of the major events of our time. Considered PBS' flagship public affairs series for more than 20 years, Frontline follows the time-honored tradition of broadcast news by telling stories that objectively explore present-day topics in the United States and abroad. Sept. 11, the war in Iraq, the global politics of AIDS, and the controversies surrounding abortion are just a few of the many issues that the program has delved into.
Is It Any Good?
The winner of many major journalism awards -- including a Peabody for excellence in TV broadcasting -- Frontline stands out among other prime-time programs of this genre thanks to its in-depth research, solid reporting, and strong narrative. As a result of the producers' commitment to journalistic excellence, the series offers unflinching examinations of different, often-conflicting viewpoints, allowing viewers to experience for themselves the complexity of many of life's multifaceted events.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about current events. How do these events impact the way we look at the world? Who are the people involved in these events, and what are their roles? What specific issues do you feel strongly about? Families can also talk about the differences between broadcast news and public affairs documentaries. What do documentaries offer that news stories don't or can't? If you were asked to make a documentary about an important issue, what would it be about? Who would you interview? Parents can find more discussion topics in Frontline's Teacher Center.
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 17, 1983
- Cast : Will Lyman
- Network : PBS
- Genre : Educational
- TV rating :
- Last updated : January 10, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
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