CNN launches regional office in Abu Dhabi

CNN International, one of the largest electronic news networks in the world, yesterday launched its regional office in Abu Dhabi, which will cover news from Pakistan to North Africa.

The CNN Abu Dhabi launch was marked with the opening of talk-show studios and a premier daily news show called Prism, which was broadcast at 9pm yesterday. The show was presented by Stanley Grant, who has been based in Abu Dhabi since January this year as the UAE correspondent.

The launch at Emirates Palace hotel was moderated by the CNN celebrity correspondent Richard Quest and attended by Tony Maddox, CNN International Executive Vice-President and Managing Director, Tom Fenton, Middle East Managing Editor and the new Abu Dhabi Bureau Chief, and Rani Raad, Senior Vice-President for CNN International Advertising Sales.

According to Maddox, Abu Dhabi will be a central point for both logistic and editorial coverage for CNN and will play a big role in news coverage in the entire Middle East and neighbouring regions like Afghanistan and Pakistan, two news hotspots of the world.

The Abu Dhabi regional hub announcement began with a live coverage of CNN global correspondents, anchors and presenters, including Christiane Amanpour.

When asked if CNN Abu Dhabi coverage area will include areas such as Iran and Central Asia in terms of logistic and editorial coverage, Maddox told Emirates Business: "Global position, absolutely. If you draw a circle around Abu Dhabi and say what is within two to three hour flying time of the emirate and Dubai airport, you can cover many of the world's major news hotspots.

"And that is very much part of our reasoning for being here. We can speak more authentically on regional issues from here. We can travel and get on the ground quickly and provide the kind of fast response to news, which we are known for."

Fenton said their operations at bureaus such as Kabul will be provided with full support in terms of both logistic and technical help.

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