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Ayn Allen or Rachel Coulson

747.201.5886; aallen@kcet.org 

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KCETLink Presents World Television Premiere of Human Rights 

Documentary, 'Beatrice Mtetwa & The Rule of Law'

Television Premiere to Coincide with the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage presented by Georgia Tech honoring Beatrice Mtetwa on Nov. 13

Burbank, Calif. - Oct. 7, 2014 - KCETLink, the national independent public media organization, presents the world television premiere of BEATRICE MTETWA & THE RULE OF LAW, chronicling the courageous human rights attorney and her fight against social and political inequalities in Zimbabwe. Premiering for the first time on television, the film will air on Link TV (DirecTV 375 and DISH Network 9410) on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 9 p.m. PT/ET and on KCET (Southern California) on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 9 p.m. PT. The film will also be available online starting Oct. 15 at linktv.org/mtetwa.

BEATRICE MTETWA & THE RULE OF LAW documents the work of a profoundly brave lawyer. In spite of beatings by police, Mtetwa has courageously defended those jailed by the Mugabe government - peace activists, journalists, opposition candidates and farmers who had their land confiscated, as well as ordinary citizens who have had the courage to speak up against injustice. 

Through interviews with Mtetwa and some of her clients, the film tells the story of what happens when leaders place themselves above the law and why defense of the rule of law is the cornerstone of society in which human rights are respected. Although Mtetwa's platform is centered in Zimbabwe, her message and bravery are universal. The film is produced and directed by Boston-based filmmaker Lorie Conway. 

Describing her motives for activism as "a job that's got to be done," Mtetwa is the recipient of several international awards including the Inamori Prize for Ethics, the International Press Freedom Award from the Committee to Protect Journalists, the International Human Rights Award from the American Bar Association, and the International Women of Courage Award presented by the US State Department.  Mtetwa has also received the Ludovic-Trarieux International Human Rights Prize from France, an award given by lawyers, which honors a lawyer who has illustrated, by activity or suffering, the defense of human rights in the world. Mtetwa was the second lawyer from Africa to receive the award; the first was Nelson Mandela.  

The television premiere of BEATRICE MTETWA & THE RULE OF LAW and subsequent airdates will coincide with the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage presented by Georgia Tech honoring Beatrice Mtetwa on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014. The Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage recognizes individuals around the world who, by asserting moral principle, have positively affected public discourse at the risk of their careers, livelihoods, and sometimes lives. 

On Nov. 11, viewers will have the opportunity to watch a live stream of a Q&A with Mtetwa and Conway moderated by Jacqueline J. Royster, Dean of the Georgia Tech Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, following a screening of the film at the university, starting at 8 p.m. ET at linktv.org/mtetwa. In advance of the Q&A, viewers can submit questions for Mtetwa online at linktv.org/mtetwa or on Twitter and Facebook using #allenprize. 

Amnesty International USA will also host the live stream of the Q&A on its website at amnestyusa.org. Viewers can learn more about Amnesty USA's human rights work in Zimbabwe at amnestyusa.org/Zimbabwe. Amnesty USA will also provide an opportunity to take action on behalf of Mtetwa and all human rights defenders and citizens in Zimbabwe through an online petition available on that page in early October. 

To learn more about Mtetwa and the Allen Prize, please visit: http://ivanallenprize2.gatech.edu/beatrice_mtetwa2014 

Additional Link TV airdates for BEATRICE MTETWA & THE RULE OF LAW include:

Thursday, Oct. 16 at 11 p.m. ET 

Sunday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. ET 

Monday, Oct. 20 at 1 p.m. ET 

Friday, Oct. 24 at 10 p.m. ET 

Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 1 a.m. ET 

Saturday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. ET 

Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. ET 

ABOUT KCETLINK

KCETLink, formed by the merger between KCET and Link Media, is a national independent, nonprofit, digital and broadcast network that provides high-quality, culturally diverse programming designed to engage the public in innovative, entertaining and transformative ways. With a commitment to independent perspectives, smart global entertainment, local communities, and opportunities for engagement and social action, KCETLink depicts people and the world through a lens unavailable elsewhere in U.S. media. A viewer-supported 501(c)(3) organization, KCETLink content is distributed nationally via satellite on Link TV - DIRECTV channel 375 and DISH Network channel 9410 - and on KCET in Southern and Central California via broadcast and cable, as well as through various digital delivery systems. For additional information about KCET and Link TV productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org or linktv.org.

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