Chris Hansen

Chris Hansen is a correspondent for NBC News' Dateline NBC after spending many years as a correspondent for Now with Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric. In the series To Catch a Predator, Hansen reports hidden camera investigations that expose adults who target children over the Internet. He looks even deeper into the world of child predators with his new book To Catch a Predator: Protecting Your Kids from Online Enemies Already in Your Home.

Renowned for his breakthrough investigative reporting, Hansen has reported dramatic hidden camera investigations that exposed over 150 men who target young teenagers over the Internet. In June 2006, he traveled to China to report a year-long hidden camera investigation into the counterfeit prescription drug trade, documenting how easy it is for counterfeit medicines to wind up at pharmacies in the United States. In addition, Hansen received two Emmy Awards for his 2004 report on child sex trafficking in Cambodia for which he went undercover in a dramatic mission to rescue some of the children. His report included an exclusive interview with Secretary of Sate Colin Powell on the administration's efforts to combat the issue.

Hansen has played a significant role in Dateline's coverage of the war on terror and homeland security issues. He was responsible for much of the program’s coverage of the September 11 terrorist attacks and investigative stories that focused on the terrorists and operations of the Al -Qaeda network. He exposed how a group with links to Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda tried to buy Stinger missiles and other deadly weapons, including components for nuclear devices from American citizens. He also worked on the exclusive report detailing how terrorists attempted a similar attack in France in 1994.

Hansen's varied reports have stirred interest in both international and national issues. His hour-long report on child slave labor in India's silk trade showed the link between exploitation and the fabrics found in some of the finest garments sold in the United States earned international acclaim. Hansen's hidden camera series on the lack of security at airports prompted an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and immediate nationwide policy change. His report on an aviation security device used in Europe, but not in the United States, spurred a public debate on the merits of better, if more expensive, safety equipment. Hansen's exclusive reports include an interview with the Alaska Airlines pilot John Liotine, who blew the whistle on the company and initiated a federal investigation into the airline's maintenance practices, and the family and friends of former NBA star Brian Williams. Hansen was also largely responsible for Dateline's continuing coverage of the Columbine massacre, the TWA Flight 800 disaster as well as the Oklahoma City tragedy.

Hansen has received numerous awards, including six Emmys for investigative reporting, outstanding coverage of a news story and outstanding coverage of breaking news. He has received the Overseas Press club award, the National Press Club award and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists Award. Hansen has also received awards for excellence in journalism from both the Associated Press and United Press International, and he has won four Edward R. Murrow awards for his news series investigating aviation security and safety as well as his coverage of the Ford/Firestone case. He's been honored with three Clarion awards for his coverage Indian child slave labor, aviation security and the Unabomber case and a first place medal for an undercover investigation of airport security as well as numerous Headliner awards.