Changing Perceptions

- Deepa Rajan

She needs no introduction. Becky Anderson is one of CNN International’s highest profile anchors and hosts ‘Connect the World with Becky Anderson.’ A skilled interviewer, Anderson has interviewed many of the world’s leading politicians, decision-makers and thought-leaders. She has conducted one-on-one interviews with top world leaders, including, Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, South African President Jacob Zuma and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. She is equally at home with celebrities, quizzing the world’s A-listers.

Based in CNN’s Abu Dhabi bureau, Anderson has a repertoire that many young journalists aspire to have. Anderson has extensive business journalism experience including posts with the UK’s ITN, CNBC Europe and Bloomberg. She began her career in journalism as a print reporter with various business publications in Arizona, after gaining a Master of Mass Communication from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University in 1992 and in 2012 was inducted into their hall of fame. She gained her BA (Hons) in Economics at Sussex University in the UK.

Anderson has also focused on covering issues affecting women and young people around the world. She has interviewed senior Saudi officials on the country’s women’s rights record while, as part of Connect the World, she discussed with a panel of experts if the Arab Spring had brought about new opportunities for women and young people.

In an exclusive to The Woman, Anderson speaks about her career, Inside the Middle East and women empowerment.