CNN Special Investigations Unit is an American investigative documentary program on CNN weekends. Expanding upon CNN Presents, SIU focuses on each episode being an in depth investigative report about news stories being covered, commonly featuring a number of interviews with experts on the issue and people who have witnessed the story taking place. The reports are commonly long-form, allowing for the network to cover more information and perspectives than would be available during a 5-minute report on another CNN program, such as CNN Newsroom. Compared to Presents, the show has taken a slightly larger point of the reporting being done by CNN reporters, the first commercials promoting the program largely showing pictures of anchors and reporters on locations, asking questions to people on the locations. In addition, the look and feel of the show has changed somewhat drastically, adding more emphasis on the graphics used to present the program itself, in addition to the stories being covered. In addition, presentations on SIU are shorter in length than on Presents, which is now used as a special event for larger special reports that take place on a long-term basis. Since the program's introduction, the network has slowly shifted towards relabeling past Presents presentations into SIU formatted ones, changing the graphics to reflect the new general label given to long-form reporting done by the network.
The Mystery of Jesus
Feb 22, 2004
Sigourney Weaver narrates this review of historical evidence and theories regarding the life of Jesus. Included: Jesus' early life; and his betrayal, trial, execution and resurrection.
The First Patient: Health & the Presidency
Oct 3, 2004
Topic: the physical and mental health of U.S. presidents. Included: the medical care provided to Presidents John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan.
The Two Marys: The Madonna and the Magdalene
Dec 12, 2004
An examination of the roles of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene within Christianity. Included: the historical reality of the two main archetypes of Christian womanhood; how they're being reimagined today; what it means for the future of Christianity.
