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Tag: Tony Maddox

  • CNN Freedom Project and Tony Maddox honoured by US State Department

    CNN Freedom Project and Tony Maddox honoured by US State Department

    MUMBAI: The U.S. State Department has honoured CNN International executive vice president and managing director Tony Maddox and the CNN Freedom Project as a 2015 Trafficking in Persons Report Hero.

     

    The eight Trafficking In Persons (TIP) Report Heroes are announced in conjunction with the annual TIP Report by the State Department, which assesses the response of 188 countries and territories to the crime of human slavery. Secretary of State John Kerry presented the honours at a ceremony in Washington D.C.

     

    “I am humbled by this recognition,” said Maddox. “I am proud of CNN using the full range of our international resources to track and highlight this important story,” he added.

     

    Spearheaded by Maddox, CNN International launched the CNN Freedom Project in 2011 to shine a spotlight on modern slavery. The project has sought to amplify the voices of survivors, highlight effective prevention and victim assistance efforts, and investigate the criminal enterprises involved. Now in its fifth year, the CNN Freedom Project is among the most successful and highly visible programming initiatives on CNN International. Under Maddox’s leadership, it has also become the longest running awareness and investigative campaign on modern slavery on television news.

     

    Under Maddox’s leadership, CNN International has enlisted dozens of correspondents and crews around the world, and has published more than 400 investigative stories. Various NGOs report that CNN Freedom Project stories have contributed to changing laws and corporate policies, led to more than 1,000 survivors receiving assistance and sparked over $24 million in donations to anti-trafficking organization. Additionally, the CNN Freedom Project has inspired new NGOs and grassroots campaigns around the world.

  • CNN International’s Ellana Lee promoted to international role

    CNN International’s Ellana Lee promoted to international role

    MUMBAI: CNN International Asia Pacific vice president and managing editor Ellana Lee has been promoted to senior vice president of CNN International, adding international oversight of the network’s expansive roster of feature programs while continuing to manage CNN’s editorial operation across Asia Pacific. Working in close partnership with colleagues at Turner International, Lee will also be charged with developing CNN International’s business operations worldwide from the Asia headquarters in Hong Kong.                            

     

    Making the announcement, CNN International executive vice president and managing editor Tony Maddox said, “In this new role, Ellana becomes our most senior executive outside of the US. Ellana is the perfect fit for this new role. She already has an important job on her hands looking after the network’s editorial output in Asia Pacific but we’re thrilled she will now undertake an international role overseeing the network’s feature programming and spearheading business operations internationally.” 

     

    Lee has had a longstanding and accomplished career at CNN, having initially worked in New York as a producer. She was named a ‘Young Global Leader’ by the World Economic Forum, is an Asia 21 fellow as awarded by the Asia Society and is a graduate of Harvard’s ‘Global Leadership and Public Policy for the 21st Century’ Executive Program.  

     

    CNN International today also announced further key staff appointments in Asia Pacific, strengthening the network’s newsgathering and editorial capabilities in the region. 

     

    Other new roles to be based in the CNN International Hong Kong bureau include: supervising producer Mitra Mobasherat; assignment editor Chieu Luu; news field producer Pamela Boykoff; business field producer Felicia Wong; planning editor Bex Wright; business planning editor Jonathan Stayton; features producer Michala Sabnani; and associate features producer Alisha Haridasani. In addition, senior international correspondent Ivan Watson moved to Hong Kong last week and will now be permanently based in Asia. 

     

    “This new structure helps us to continue delivering the outstanding editorial output across all platforms that has seen us serve audiences worldwide with award-winning newsgathering and programming. I couldn’t be happier with the team we now have in place,” added Maddox. 

     

    These appointments come after a string of recent awards and accolades for the network including the Royal Television Society’s ‘News Channel of the Year’ for the second straight year and the ‘Cable and Satellite Channel of the Year’ at 2013 Asian Television Awards. In addition, the latest IPSOS survey results show CNN is the leading international news brand in the Asia Pacific region across television, online and mobile.

  • ‘Nepal’s Organ Trail: A CNN Freedom Project Documentary’ investigates the brutal kidney trade in Nepal

    ‘Nepal’s Organ Trail: A CNN Freedom Project Documentary’ investigates the brutal kidney trade in Nepal

    MUMBAI: ‘Nepal’s Organ Trail: A CNN Freedom Project Documentary’ highlights the brutal and exploitative organ trade in Nepal which sees the trafficking of impoverished and ignorant villagers as unwitting kidney donors. CNN International Correspondent Sumnima Udas investigates the plight of these trafficked victims who live with severe health complications and the threat of premature death looms large, pushing their impoverished families further into the cycle of poverty and exploitation.

     

    “Organ trafficking is a barbaric trade that destroys the lives of not just an individual, but the entire family,” said Tony Maddox, Executive Vice President and Managing Director for CNN International. “This was a story that needed to be told, and we are dedicating ourselves to highlight this inhuman practice so a change can be brought about.”

     

    The documentary follows the organ trail which begins from the villages of the remote Kavre district in Nepal where villagers are trafficked on pretexts ranging from false job offers to promises of large sums of money for a ‘chunk’ of their body which they are told will ‘grow back’. At the other end of the trail, ailing and desperate patients await kidney transplants which could potentially save their lives. A perfect storm of poverty, desperation and loopholes in the government machinery allow traffickers to continue this exploitative cycle and make handsome profits at the cost of acute human suffering. The trafficked victims are left in a pitiable state. In the words of one victim, he is “just counting my days to die” while holding on to the hope that “the government will take care of my children.”

     

    The half-hour documentary also highlights the efforts of government agencies, anti-trafficking organisations like The Forum For Protection Of People’s Rights and medical organisations to combat the trade. The Nepal government is issuing more stringent counter measures to prevent forgery of documents, hospitals are putting in place measures like DNA testing to prove the biological relationship between donors and recipients and anti-trafficking organisations are working hard to educate vulnerable villagers. While there is still a long journey ahead, activists express the hope that “if all the stakeholders contribute, this problem will be resolved.”

  • RTS crowns CNN International news channel of the year

    RTS crowns CNN International news channel of the year

    MUMBAI: Last night at the Royal Television Society (RTS) Awards, CNN International was crowned News Channel of the Year for the second year running beating Sky News and the BBC News Channel, plus won the coveted Best News Coverage – International category for its outstanding reporting of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines beating ITN and BBC One.

    The network’s coverage of news events such as the Westgate Mall siege in Nairobi, the struggle for power in Egypt, the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, the on-going crisis in Syria, and the rise of extremism in the former Soviet republic of Dagestan, won over the RTS jury.

    Tony Maddox, Executive Vice President of CNN International, said: “To win News Channel of the Year for the second year running, against some strong submissions from our peers, is a very special honour. Our profession is being tested today more than ever before, but the bravery, determination, skill and fortitude of my colleagues around the world has been unwavering.

    “Our coverage of Typhoon Haiyan was exemplary from start to finish. Our crews showed enormous bravery as well as great sensitivity on what was both a physically gruelling, emotionally draining, and very important assignment. I’m delighted that their efforts have been recognised here, and I couldn’t be more proud of their work.”

    These two awards are the latest recognition of CNN International’s editorial strength. The channel was recently named Cable & Satellite Channel of the Year at the Asian Television Awards, and had a strong showing in the Emmys, FPA Awards, Peabody Awards and the Overseas Press Awards. CNN is also the number one international TV news channel according to all major media surveys across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific region and Latin America.

     

  • CNN named cable & satellite channel of the year

    CNN named cable & satellite channel of the year

    MUMBAI: CNN International has once again been recognized for its outstanding global journalism winning the coveted ‘Cable & Satellite Channel of the Year’, ‘Best News Story’ and ‘Best Social Awareness Program’ categories at the 2013 Asian Television Awards held last night in Singapore.

    CNN’s Hong Kong-based international correspondent Anna Coren won the prestigious ‘Best News Story 10 minutes or less’ for her powerful exclusive report ‘Afghanistan Taliban Firefight’ where she came under enemy fire for more than 90 minutes in Nejrab alongside U.S. Special forces. This is the third Asian Television Award for Coren – she won ‘Best News Presenter or Anchor’ in both 2011 and 2012. You can see her ‘Afghanistan Taliban Firefight’ report here: http://cnn.it/188w7iI

    CNN’s senior international correspondent Sara Sidner collected her second Asian Television Award, this time for the remarkable CNN Freedom Project documentary ‘Operation Hope’ in the ‘Best Social Awareness Program’ category. The award follows Sidner’s original recognition in 2011 as she chronicled the extraordinary against-the-odds journey of a seven-year-old Bangladeshi boy who was viciously attacked, castrated and left for dead because he refused to be forced into begging. In ‘Operation Hope’ she followed up his story to relate how people around the world had seen her report and subsequently helped fly the boy to the US for life-changing surgery, meaning that ultimately his terrifying ordeal ended happily: http://cnn.it/Usz8lK
    The award for ‘Operation Hope’ represents the latest recognition for the CNN Freedom Project, an initiative that has been honored extensively for its tireless efforts to shine a light on the horrors of modern-day slavery.

    Executive Vice President and Managing Director for CNN International Tony Maddox commented: “I am thrilled that CNN ends 2013 as it started it, namely with recognition and awards from prestigious peers for the outstanding quality of our journalism. These awards stand as a testament to the excellence and dedication of our people in Asia and around the world, with both Anna and Sara’s remarkable reports demonstrating their tenacity and fearlessness in bringing vital stories to our global audience. It is also especially pleasing to see the CNN Freedom Project once again honored as the initiative has repeatedly delivered crucial, hard-hitting but compassionate reporting to increase awareness of this appalling trade.”

    The Asian Television Awards took place in Singapore on Thursday December 5, 2013. Senior International Correspondent Sara Sidner attended the gala ceremony and c

  • CNN International goes ‘beyond borders’, adorns new logo

    CNN International goes ‘beyond borders’, adorns new logo

    MUMBAI: As part of its two-year network expansion plan, CNN International has unveiled a new logo, backed with refreshed channel sound and graphics and a new tagline that says “go beyond borders”.

    This is for the first time that the network slogan has undergone a chnge since 2001. Formerly, the network’s slogan was “be the first to know”.

    It is pertinent to note here that the new brand positioning is launching simultaneous to the premiere of the network’s flagship property, Amanpour.

    According to the network, “go beyond borders” is an articulation of CNN International’s shared values and commitment to delivering intelligent news in a connected world. The tagline was put together by CNN’s in-house global marketing and creative teams in conjunction with the Boston-based agency Tooth+Nail.

    Said CNN International EVP and managing director Tony Maddox, “Our viewers go beyond borders every day, seeking out intelligent newsgathering on multiple platforms and this tagline will speak directly to their aspirations.”

    Meanwhile, as part of its repositioning spree, CNN International will launch a new programming slate with a total of eight new shows by year-end.

    “2009 has been a defining year for CNN International, with the introduction of an ambitious new programming line-up following on from an expansion of our newsgathering operation as we put original content and multiple perspectives at the heart of our output. A new tagline is the logical next step to cement our brand promise for today’s news consumers,” Maddox added.

  • Amanpour looks to set the agenda with new show on CNN

    Amanpour looks to set the agenda with new show on CNN

    MUMBAI: CNN’s chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour will launch a new global interview programme on 21 September that will air live on weekdays on CNN International from New York.

    Says Amanpour, “I want this show to stir the global conscience. I have witnessed so much that it is time to start making real sense of it all. I learned to seek facts and to tell the truth no matter how difficult or unpopular and to not accept a false moral equivalence when none exists. I want to provide a forum for others to do the same.”

    After spending nearly 26 years of reporting around the globe for the CNN, Amanpour will take on a new role as host of this half-hour weekday programme. The new programme will set the agenda for a new global conversation about the dramatic issues gripping the world.

    Each show will primarily focus on one topic – newsworthy and often provocative – and will feature guests who challenge and deconstruct conventional wisdom. Amanpour will mobilise conversation, encourage debate and facilitate change through these interviews and analysis.

    CNN International executive VP, MD Tony Maddox says, “Now, in this fragmented media world, Christiane’s powerful brand will serve as the hub for a global community of inquiring minds – people who are hungry for a more daring perspective and a fresh, thoughtful take on international stories.”

    Kathy O’Hearn, who has more than 30 years of experience producing for both broadcast and cable networks, will be at the helm as the show’s executive producer.

    The repositioning of CNN International includes an ambitious programming schedule that is being bolstered by the launch of six new prime-time programmes this year including the Amanpour launch in September and culminating with the opening of the network’s new production center in Abu Dhabi in November.

  • CNN goes live for the first time with 3G

    CNN goes live for the first time with 3G

    MUMBAI: CNN International has made its first ever global television broadcast from a mobile phone, live from the 3GSM conference in Barcelona. As part of CNN’s coverage from the conference, CNN went live to millions worldwide via the 3G network shortly after 7pm Hong Kong time, Monday February 12.

    The ‘live via phone’ ninety second piece was broadcast by CNN International correspondent Jim Boulden for the daily news show, ‘Business International’ and opened CNN’s coverage from 3GSM trade show.

    Tony Maddox senior vice president of news operations for CNN International said: “This new development underlines CNN’s clear commitment to developing 3G technology in news gathering. By adopting emerging technologies, CNN continues to lead the way in reporting from the field. 3G technology is enabling our correspondents to deliver packages and live broadcasts both quickly and easily from wherever they are in the world. This is an important demonstration of how we are evolving our newsgathering abilities using the latest technologies.”

    Working with mobile technology partner Ericsson, CNN has invested in digital newsgathering which enables its global correspondents to add 3G phones to their reporting tools. The technology has already been tested through live reports on CNN’s broadband service, CNN Pipeline, but this is the first time the news network has used mobile devices for live television.

  • Michael Ware is CNN’s Baghdad based correspondent

    Michael Ware is CNN’s Baghdad based correspondent

    MUMBAI: CNN has announced that Michael Ware, the Time magazine Baghdad bureau chief who gained renown for in-depth coverage of the insurgency in Iraq , is joining the broadcaster as a correspondent based in Baghdad.

    A frequent guest to CNN over the last five years, Ware becomes a full-time international correspondent providing news reports and analysis across all CNN networks.

    CNN senior VP international newsgathering operations Tony Maddox says, “Michael is one of the most accomplished correspondents working in Iraq . His exclusive stories and unique insights into the workings of the insurgency will increase the scope and depth of our reporting. He joins a fantastic CNN team of committed journalists in Baghdad, and we are very excited to have him as a full-time member of the CNN family.”

     

  • CNN Worldwide appoints Seth Doane as New Delhi correspondent

    CNN Worldwide appoints Seth Doane as New Delhi correspondent

    MUMBAI: CNN Worldwide has appointed award-winning journalist Seth Doane to be the news organization’s New Delhi-based video correspondent. This was announced by senior VP- International newsgathering, Tony Maddox.

    Doane joins CNN from Channel One News where he won a 2004 George Foster Peabody Award for his reports from Darfur and the on-going humanitarian crisis, informs an official release.

    “Seth has shown the kind of commitment and endeavour we look for in our correspondents,” said Maddox. “In the past five years, he has reported around the world from challenging locations and he will be a real addition to the reporting ranks of CNN. He will be working in a great bureau in a country which is making news on many levels.”

    Doane is the sixth video correspondent appointed by CNN; he joins DNG-equipped correspondents strategically based in South Africa, Colombia, UK, Iraq and Russia.

    “CNN is known around the world for its international news coverage and its use of leading-edge technology that allows correspondents to offer context to news events immediately. It’s a privilege to join a network with such a strong journalistic reputation,” said Doane.