A&E to Air Special on Policing in America

A&E will air a special on policing in America that gives voice to activists and victims of brutality as part of a larger campaign to spotlight people working to make positive changes in their communities.

Laurence Fishburne will narrate Voices Magnified: Policing in America, which is set to air Aug. 30. The one-hour special will feature community leaders and activists, police, grieving families and victims of brutality who will discuss what it will take to transform policing so people of all races can feel safe and respected by those charged with protecting them.

A+E Networks will also produce other specials and short form videos centering on issues of equality and social reform. The initiative comes a few months after A&E canceled Live PD, its most popular series, in the wake of widespread social justice protests that followed the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Activists had criticized Live PD and shows like it as “act[ing] as a PR arm of police departments,” Color of Change vp and chief of campaigns Arisha Hatch told The Hollywood Reporter in June.

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“We are proud to launch the Voices Magnified campaign to elevate the stories of those pursuing solutions to the critical issues of our time,” said Rob Sharenow, president programming at A+E Networks. “Through long-form and short-form programming, PSAs and partnerships, we are committed to using our platforms to shine a light on the diverse people and organizations who are bringing communities together, confronting challenges and inspiring change.”

In addition to conversations about police reform, the Aug. 30 special will also examine the city and county of Los Angeles and how it’s working to address the historically troubled relationship between communities of color and police.

Voices Magnified: Policing in America is executive produced by Jeanmarie Condon and Fatima Curry (who also directs) from ABC News’ Lincoln Square Productions and Fishburne and Helen Sugland from Cinema Gypsy Productions. Brie Miranda Bryant and Sharon Scott exec produce for A&E.