On May 1, CNN's God's Warriors will be awarded a 'Television Academy Honor,' a first-of-its-kind award presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The Academy says the documentary, reported by Christiane Amanpour, exemplifies "television with a conscience."

The award is part of the academy's Television Cares Committee, which honors programs that present issues "in a compelling, emotional and insightful way." Warriors is one of nine final recipients chosen from nearly 200 entries.

The highly-rated but controversial three-part, six-hour television event aired across CNN's U.S. and international networks last August. It explored the rise of religious fundamentalism in three faiths: Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

The press release is after the jump...

CNN's God's Warriors Garners Inaugural 'Television Academy Honor'

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences this week revealed CNN Presents: God's Warriors as one of the recipients of the inaugural Television Academy Honors, citing the documentary as one of the programs in 2007 that "exemplify television with a conscience." CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour traveled the world to report God's Warriors, which aired in August 2007.

In what it touts as an annual awards program, the academy will honor God's Warriors and other recipients during a star-studded event on Thursday, May 1, at the Beverly Hills Hotel. An outgrowth of the academy's Television Cares Committee, the Television Academy Honors celebrate television programs that best present issues of concern to society "in a compelling, emotional and insightful way." Nine final recipients were chosen from nearly 200 entries.

God's Warriors, in a three-part, six-hour television event across CNN's U.S. and international networks in August 2007, explored the impact of the rise of religious fundamentalism as a powerful political force in three faiths: Judaism, Islam and Christianity. A critical and ratings success, the documentary received nearly 15 million cumulative domestic viewers from its premiere and encore broadcasts presentations. Among its awards, God’s Warriors has also won a National Headliner award, a Gracie Allen award and two New York Festivals awards.