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WHEN:
May 13, 2026 at 5:30pm
CONTACT INFO:
Cecily Scott Martin
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Headliner
Registration/tickets required
In 1989, a student movement brought China to the brink of democratic reform. "Tiananmen Tonight" tells the story of Dan Rather and the CBS Evening News team battling for life and reputation while reporting on the uprising. The documentary is directed by Bestor Cram and Michael Streissguth.
Rather and the CBS team went to China ahead of the media crush where they informed an anxious American public about China’s unfolding demonstrations, emerging student leadership, and bloody confrontations while fending off government censors and coping with the brutal arrest of a star reporter. In a fit of daring, the team also sheltered the most-wanted dissidents in China. CBS News broadcast the demonstrations and violence live from Beijing exclusively for several days until the Chinese government ordered the satellite transmitter shutdown. From the embers of the failed democracy movement, CBS News re-claimed the number one spot in the evening news race after a long absence.
Join Tom Bettag, Bob Woodruff and Susan Zirinsky on Wednesday, May 13 for a screening of "Tiananmen Tonight" followed by a panel discussion on coverage of protests, human rights movements and the government.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with opening remarks and the screening at 5:30 p.m. followed by the panel discussion at 7:00 p.m. Tickets cost $5 for members and $15 for non-members.
Susan Zirinsky is the president of See It Now Studios, where she oversees the development, production and distribution of original documentaries and docuseries for Paramount+, CBS, ViacomCBS networks and third-party platforms.
In 1989, Zirinsky was assigned to Beijing, China to run CBS News coverage of what was to be the first visit of a Russian President to China in 30 years.
Bob Woodruff is a correspondent for ABC News and has reported from all around the world, covering some of the most influential stories and breaking news events of the past three decades.
Working as a translator for CBS News during the Tiananmen Square uprising is what inspired him to change careers and pursue journalism full-time.
Tom Bettag, best known as the executive producer for ABC News "Nightline" with Ted Koppel, is a lecturer at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. Among his professional experiences are 22 years with CBS News, which included working as a producer for CBS Radio, CBS Morning News, CBS Evening with Walter Cronkite, "60 Minutes" and serving as executive producer of the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather from 1986-91.
As executive producer of the CBS Evening News, Bettag oversaw the network’s coverage of Tiananmen Square in 1989.
