The Good Wife Wins Sidney Lumet Award for Integrity in Entertainment

CBS Drama is Honored for Human Rights Themes NEW YORK CITY – On the heels of an Emmy Award for best actress and its season premiere September 25th, CBS’ The Good Wife has been chosen by Human Rights First to receive its inaugural Sidney Lumet Award for Integrity in Entertainment. The television series, created by Michelle and Robert King, was selected for its powerful exploration of human rights issues, including Internet freedom and privacy, political asylum, torture, and human rights in China. “Popular culture has incredible power, not just to entertain, but to inform, advocate, and inspire.  The Good Wife has used that power to confront some of the most difficult—and important—political and social questions of the day. We are proud to honor The Good Wife for its groundbreaking content, and for advancing the public’s understanding of human rights and the rule of law,” said Human Rights First’s President and CEO Elisa Massimino. Human Rights First’s Integrity in Entertainment award, named in honor of acclaimed writer, producer and director Sidney Lumet will be presented at the organization’s annual Human Rights Award Dinner in New York City on October 26, 2011. Lumet worked with Human Rights First on a media project related to the depiction of torture and interrogation on television. “My dad was fearless about tackling tough issues in his work,” said Jenny Lumet, the late director’s daughter and the screenwriter of Rachel Getting Married.  “He would have been pleased that this new award recognizes that and encourages others to do the same.” Award-winning artist Jenny Holzer, best known for her large-scale public displays, including an installment currently at 7 World Trade Center, has designed the award. NBC Nightly News Anchor Brian Williams will host the Human Rights Award dinner at which the Sidney Lumet award will be presented. In addition to The Good Wife, Human Rights First will honor two courageous activists who have played instrumental roles in advancing human rights during the past year.  Egyptian activist Basem Fathy, co-founder of the April 6 Youth Movement that was a precursor to this year’s historic Tahrir Square uprising in Cairo, will be honored for his work to promote political freedom. He continues to play a key role in Egypt’s transition toward democracy. Shehrbano Taseer, daughter of the late Pakistani Governor Salmaan Taseer—a reformer who was murdered by his own security guard for speaking out against the misuse of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws— will be honored for her courageous work to carry out her father’s legacy of religious tolerance. In the face of ongoing fears for her own safety and the security of her family, Taseer continues to fight to promote freedom, dignity, justice, and fairness. Taseer has been called as “one of the bravest women in today’s Pakistan.”