CNN Pressroom - ‘Czar Putin’ Documentary Premieres Today at 10 p.m. Prior to Russian National Elections

With modern Russia flush with oil money wealth, President Vladimir Putin enjoys a 70 percent approval rating among the Russian people according to some polls. But Putin’s power and popularity may come at a price. Some observers say there is a dark side to Russia’s capitalistic miracle. Days ago, several political rivals of Putin were imprisoned, and many Russian journalists charge that the government intentionally intimidates the independent press.

As Russia’s parliamentary elections approach this weekend, chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour reports for CNN: Special Investigations Unit – Czar Putin, on Friday, Nov. 30, at 10 p.m., with replays on Saturday, Dec. 1, and Sunday, Dec. 2, at 1 a.m. and 10 p.m. All times Eastern.

Amanpour meets world chess champion Garry Kasparov, who is fighting an uphill battle to challenge Putin. Arrested last weekend under charges of “administrative offenses,” Kasparov is a would-be Russian presidential candidate who says that democracy in Russia is a farce.

Disturbingly, press freedoms have been curtailed under Putin’s regime. Yevgeny Kisilev, formerly Russia’s leading national news anchor, describes for Amanpour how Putin thwarted an independent television network NTV from reporting freely in Russia. NTV management was accused of financial improprieties; special police stormed its headquarters; and Gazprom, a Russian energy giant, gained control of the company, ending its independence and forcing out Kisilev and his news team.

More than 200 journalists have been killed since the fall of communism in 1991, according to Alexei Simonov of the Glasnost Defense Foundation. While Russian police solve 80 percent of all murders, the number drops to only 6 percent when the victim is a journalist. This includes the murder of famed Putin critic Anna Politkovskaya, Russia’s most famous investigative reporter. Simonov believes that the Kremlin is responsible for creating a climate of fear for journalists.

Russia appears to be flexing its military capabilities as well. Amanpour challenges Konstantin Kosachev, one of Putin’s party leaders, about aggressive Russian bomber exercises near British and American air space during a time of peace.

“The point is, that they need to have training in a real situation,” Kosachev says.

In Czar Putin, several Russians of all ages give Putin credit for their country’s rising global economic status and geopolitical influence. And as Putin has moved to consolidate his powers, he has also developed a savvy sense of photo opportunities that fuel his “rock star” admiration among some Russians.

Yulia Latynina, an anchor for Moscow Echo Radio and outspoken Putin critic, says about Russia’s rollbacks of democratic freedoms: “For Putin, it’s about power. For people that surround Putin, it’s about money.”

Czar Putin was produced by Andrew Tkach; the managing editor was Kathy Slobogin. The vice president and senior executive producer of CNN Productions is Mark Nelson.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

CNN Pressroom - Network Appoints Sara Sidner as New Delhi Correspondent; Liz Neisloss as Chennai Correspondent

CNN today announced the opening of new editorial operations in Chennai, India, as well as the appointment of two new India-based correspondents. Sara Sidner, currently of KTVU-TV in San Francisco/Oakland, will be the network’s New Delhi-based international correspondent starting in January 2008 while Liz Neisloss, a former CNN senior producer, will be based in Chennai effective immediately.

“The rapid growth in India in terms of global business and regional political influence underlines how crucial these appointments are as part of CNN’s international expansion,” said Parisa Khosravi, senior vice president of CNN International newsgathering. “With Sara and Liz now confirmed, we can combine that with the strength of our sister network CNN-IBN and have a powerful editorial presence in India.”

Sidner comes to CNN having been the weekend news anchor for KTVU as well as being a field reporter, where she won a number of awards. With more than 12 years of experience, Sidner has also worked in a number of other TV news markets in Texas, Florida and Missouri.

“To be part of CNN’s international team of correspondents is an opportunity that any journalist would relish,” Sidner said. “To be based in India as CNN expands its newsgathering operations makes the challenge and responsibility all the more rewarding.”

Also as part of CNN’s international newsgathering expansion, Neisloss becomes the network’s international correspondent in Chennai, a city in southern India formerly known as Madras.

With CNN from 1990 to 2006, Neisloss was an award-winning senior CNN producer and correspondent, having traveled widely and also covered the United Nations in New York since 1997. In this new position, Neisloss will cover not just the southern part of India but also support the CNN bureau in New Delhi.

“Liz has vast experience working in an international environment, and I’m delighted that she has taken up this new position,” Khosravi said. “As ever, Liz has already hit the ground running and covered a number of stories.”

This new position in South India is part of the multi-million dollar investment that CNN announced earlier this month and that will see an additional editorial resources and correspondents based in a number of countries. New operations are also planned for Afghanistan, Belgium, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Poland and Vietnam.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

CNN.com Live Anchors Melissa Long and Reggie Aqui co-hosted the YouTube Debate Preview on CNN.com Live Video this evening. CNN.com Live is going to be streaming comments and coverage online during the commercial breaks on CNN Worldwide. Melissa is live in St. Petersburg.

Prime News with Erica Hill anchor Erica Hill from Headline News is in St. Petersburg, FL as well tonight, as was mentioned in her daily newsletter from Prime News with Erica Hill.

Senior Political Analyst Gloria Borger and American Morning co-host John Roberts are in to offer their analysis on the debate as well.


Anderson Cooper is hosting the CNN/YouTube Debate that is airing now on CNN Domestic, CNN.com Live, Headline News and CNN International.

Post-Debate: He is now hosting after-debate coverage (a special edition of Anderson Cooper 360°) which included Chief National Correspondent John King, Anchor Campbell Brown, Senior Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin, National Correspondent Joe Johns, Correspondent Tom Foreman, American Morning co-host John Roberts and Headline News' Prime News with Erica Hill anchor Erica Hill.

(On a personal note, I think it was great to see Erica Hill from Headline News included in this debate coverage.)

CNN.com Live Anchors Melissa Long and Reggie Aqui are broadcasting post-debate coverage on CNN.com Live Video.


CNN en Español: CNN en Español is replaying the debate right now, in the place where Encuentro con Daniel Viotto replays and it is also being streamed on CNN.com Live.


Broken Government: Campbell Brown's first special for the network, Broken Government: Campaign Killers, which dives into the ruthless world of campaign political attack ads. That begins at 11:00 PM Eastern.

Political Ticker: You can get more information about the debate, and the updates after from the CNN Political Ticker at http://www.cnn.com/ticker.

Post-Debate Interviews with John Roberts: John Roberts will have post-debate interviews Thursday morning (November 29) on American Morning beginning at 6:00 AM Eastern on CNN Domestic.

Domestic Re-Air Schedule: The debate will re-air Thursday morning (November 29) at 12:00 AM and 3:00 AM Eastern and Saturday night (December 1) at 8:00 PM Eastern on CNN.

Campbell Brown - CNN Domestic

CNN Pressroom - Broken Government Report on Presidential Pugilism Airs on Nov. 28 Following CNN/YouTube Debate

As the 2008 presidential campaign heats up, CNN anchor Campbell Brown reports on the rising temperatures – and the pugilistic punches – that come with the territory of running for the nation’s highest political office. Following the CNN/YouTube GOP debate, CNN will premiere Broken Government – “Campaign Killers” on Wednesday, Nov. 28, at 11 p.m., with replays on Friday, Nov. 30, at 8 p.m., 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. on CNN/U.S. All times Eastern.

Although Americans say they are turned off by negative political campaigning, attack ads have can have enormous impact on elections. Brown interviews former Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis and adman Floyd Brown about one of the most infamous campaign ads of all time: the Willie Horton ad used to shattering effect in the 1988 presidential race.

In her first documentary for CNN, Brown also goes behind the scenes with the guerrilla warriors of this season’s presidential campaign to see what they're plotting. From the left, Eli Pariser of MoveOn.org talks candidly about the “General Betray-us” ad; from the right, the “Hillary hunters” – David Bossie of Citizens United and the “Stop Her Now” team of cartoonists – discuss the effects of lampooning the Democratic frontrunner.

Senior CNN political analyst Bill Schneider and political marketing consultants Mark McKinnon and Bill Hillsman comment on the impact of attack ads for the 2008 presidential race and the latest evolution in negative campaigning – the anonymous Internet viral attack.

“Campaign Killers” was produced by Andy Segal, Melissa Dunst and Michael Mocklar; the managing editor was Kathy Slobogin. The vice president and senior executive producer of CNN Productions is Mark Nelson.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

CNN Pressroom - Performers for Dec. 6 Gala Include Mary J. Blige, Sheryl Crow, Wyclef Jean, Norah Jones; Presenters Include Glenn Close, Harry Connick, Jr., LL Cool J, Kyra Sedgwick, Jimmy Smits

CNN today revealed the names of 18 finalists for “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute,” the culmination of a five-month audience nomination process through which ordinary people will be recognized for accomplishing extraordinary things. Hosted by CNN’s Anderson Cooper and Christiane Amanpour, “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” will air live globally on CNN/U.S., CNN International and CNN en Español on Thursday, Dec. 6, at 9 p.m. (ET).

In its first year of the CNN Heroes initiative, CNN received more than 7,000 nominations from viewers in 80 countries, nominating people from more than 90 countries.

Honorees will be announced at the Dec. 6 gala at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, which will include performances from Grammy Award winners Mary J. Blige and Sheryl Crow and a duet by Grammy Award winner Norah Jones and acclaimed performer-producer Wyclef Jean. Presenters will include Tyra Banks, Glenn Close, Harry Connick, Jr., Rosario Dawson, LL Cool J, Kyra Sedgwick and Jimmy Smits.

“We’re honored to shine the spotlight on some of the world’s lesser known heroes with the help of an esteemed slate of performers and presenters,” said Jim Walton, president of CNN Worldwide. “While other awards programs venerate those who are already celebrated, we are recognizing the unheralded, the ones who accomplish great things without the benefit of recognition.”

From May 1 through September, CNN Worldwide has featured everyday heroes across its television networks, digital services and at www.CNN.com/Heroes, encouraging viewers to nominate local heroes they deem deserving of recognition as a CNN Hero. The finalists in each of the six categories include:

· MEDICAL MARVEL – Peter Kithene of Seattle, who founded a clinic in his native Kenya that has provided services to more than 18,000 patients; Ann McGee of Las Vegas, who started a transportation program to provide free medical flights for families with gravely ill children; and S. Ramakrishnan of Ayikudy, India, a quadriplegic man who runs one of India’s largest centers for the disabled, serving people from 330 surrounding villages.

· YOUNG WONDER – Kayla Cornale, 18, of Burlington, Ontario, Canada, who developed a musical system to improve communications with autistic people; Dallas Jessup, 15, of Vancouver, Wash., who produced a video and an online program designed to teach young women and girls how to escape an attacker; and Josh Miller, 17, of Santa Monica, Calif., who established a student-run nonprofit group dedicated to motivating high school students of all backgrounds to succeed in school and life.


· CHAMPIONING CHILDREN – Dr. Rick Hodes of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, who has served as a conduit for Ethiopian children to receive essential vaccinations, surgeries and other medical procedures; Scott Loeff of Chicago, who founded a camp for children with Tourette Syndrome to enable them to fit in with other children; Steve Peifer of Kijabe, Kenya, who combated severe dropout rates in Kenya by ensuring that more than 11,000 children have daily lunches at school and access to computers.

· COMMUNITY CRUSADER – James McDowell, a U.S. Army sergeant major who serves with the 82nd Airborne in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and led efforts to encourage Afghan farmers to switch from growing poppies to equally profitable saffron bulbs; Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe of Gulu, Uganda, who opened a school in her town to rehabilitate girls devastated by the Lord’s Resistance Army; Julie Rems-Smario of Oakland, Calif., who founded a nonprofit agency that serves deaf survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

· DEFENDING THE PLANET – Florence Cassassuce of La Paz, Mexico, who invented a five-gallon bucket that can purify several days’ worth of water in four minutes; Irania Martinez Garcia of Guantanamo, Cuba, who has taught hundreds of residents to learn how to grow food efficiently while using organic and sustainable materials from the local dump and their own trash; and Mark Maksimowicz of St. Petersburg, Fla., who co-founded a volunteer armada of boats to help clean up North American coasts.

· FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE – Pablo Fajardo of Lago Agrio, Ecuador, who seeks to force one of the world’s largest oil corporations to pay more than $6 billion to clean up toxic waste in the Amazon rain forest; Rangina Hamidi of Stone Ridge, Va., who founded a company that enables women in her native Afghanistan to make money from their intricate embroidery skills; and Lynwood Hughes of Rocky Mount, N.C., who started a nonprofit group to help U.S. veterans secure their disability benefits.

Joel Gallen, who has helmed ambitious telethon events supporting victims of both the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina, serves as executive producer for the event. Gallen won a Peabody Award for “America: A Tribute to Heroes” and has been nominated for several Emmys throughout his career. Kelly Flynn is senior executive producer for the CNN Heroes initiative.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

Rachel Sklar from The Huffington Post's Eat The Press mentions CNN Domestic's American Morning anchor John Roberts was in a bike accident on Thanksgiving day. Thankfully, even though he was carried from the scene via ambulance, he only had to have stitches in his right hand. (via ICN)

ICN has a great profile of CNN Newsroom weekend-morning anchor TJ Holmes from a recent trip to New York.

Asunción Hostin - American Morning Legal Contributor

Thanks to barkeromo on the Forums for the tip!

The doctor who operated on Kanye West's mother talked exclusively with Larry King tonight... for little over a minute. BreitBart.tv has the video. (via tvnewser)

CNN Pressroom - Katherine Green Appointed SVP for Programming; Mike McCarthy Promoted to VP Coverage/Feature Programs

CNN International today made two senior level appointments, laying the foundation for future growth and development across CNN’s global network. Tony Maddox, executive vice president and managing director of CNN International, made the announcements.

Award-winning journalist and news programming executive Katherine Green has been appointed to the lead position of senior vice president of CNN International programming. Green, most recently vice president/news director of WTTG/Fox 5 News in Washington, D.C., will be based at the network’s world headquarters in Atlanta. In addition, Mike McCarthy, managing editor for CNN International, has been promoted to the new position of vice president of coverage and feature programming.

In her new role at CNN International, Green will oversee all of the editorial production, program development, network talent and day-to-day operations of CNN International.

“Katherine brings a unique and formidable track record in programming innovation, a wealth of editorial talent and really exciting ideas to this job,” Maddox said. “This is one of the key appointments for the international group, and Katherine’s exceptional management skills are what we need as we aggressively move into an era of digital development and growth for the network.”

During a career spanning more than 20 years, Green has been instrumental in launching new and innovative news broadcasts and winning numerous awards, including more than a dozen Edward R. Murrow awards, several Emmy awards and other honors from the Associated Press and other organizations. She has a long track record for both market growth and leadership in various top 10 markets including Washington, D.C, Baltimore, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla., and New York.

“CNN epitomizes global news with a quality and integrity that other networks can only aspire to match,” Green said. “To be able to shape CNN International for the future is a rare opportunity and a challenge I relish.”

For his new role, McCarthy will remain based in Atlanta and will oversee major breaking news and the growing strand of feature programs produced in CNN’s London, Hong Kong and Atlanta production centers.

“Mike is an exceptional journalist and newsroom leader, and his promotion solidifies a management team exceptionally equipped to energize our programming and create content not just for television but rapidly growing platforms inside and outside of CNN,” Maddox said.

McCarthy has served as CNN International’s Atlanta-based managing editor since November 2002. Prior to this appointment, he was senior executive producer for news and business coverage from CNN’s regional production center in London, where he was instrumental in creating CNN International’s feature strand as well as relaunching the European morning wheel of programming with integrated news and business coverage, as well as launching the flagship Business International strand.

“One of the keys to our success in the future is harnessing the incredible reach of CNN International’s resources to create new and engaging multi-platform programming for an increasingly diverse and sophisticated audience,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy has had a rapid rise at CNN International since joining as a senior producer, business news in May 1999. He previously held the post of deputy program editor at the London News Network, responsible for London Today and London Tonight. He joined LNN in 1993.

He has also worked as a freelancer for NBC Europe, News International and the Mirror Group. He started his career in journalism at the National News Press Agency in London.

Launched in 1985, CNN International is the world’s leading 24-hour news channel, encompassing five English-language CNN services and reaching an audience of more than 220 million television households worldwide in more than 200 countries and territories.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

Fritz Nivose has been removed from the list of CNN Anchors/Reporters at CNN.com. He can still be found in the rotation on the Anchors/Reporters Page at CNN.com International, but has been removed everywhere else.

CNN Newsource correspondent Kyung Lah has been appointed as a Tokyo-based international correspondent assigned to cover Japan and other regional assignments; it was announced today by Parisa Khosravi, senior vice president of international newsgathering for CNN.

As a national correspondent for CNN Newsourse based in Washington, D.C., Lah covered major news stories including the Virginia Tech and Amish school shootings, the recent “Jena 6” racial demonstrations as well as political stories for approximately 800 CNN Newsource partner stations.

Lah recently worked on assignment in Tokyo for CNN International covering a broad range of business, technology and sporting stories including the dramatic China Air plane crash in Okinawa and growing concern over the safety of nuclear facilities situated in earth quake zones.

“To be able to recruit such a strong candidate for an international assignment from within CNN shows the depth of skills and talent that we have across our networks,” Khosravi said. “Kyung has a real passion for international news, and her Newsource experience will be invaluable as she serves the demands of CNN’s many networks and services.”

Lah joined CNN Newsource from KNBC-Los Angeles, where she served as a morning news reporter for Today in L.A. and as a midday anchor. During her time at KNBC, she covered such stories as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s election as California’s governor, the 2003 California wild fires and the Michael Jackson trial. Prior to that, Lah was a reporter in Chicago for the CBS affiliate, WBBM.

In San Diego, Lah worked as a general assignment and long-form investigative reporter at ABC affiliate KGTV, where she won a regional Emmy for specialty reporting. Her first reporting position was at CBS affiliate, WWMT in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Born is Seoul, South Korea, Lah graduated with honors from the University of Illinois with a bachelor's degree in journalism.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

CNN Pressroom - More Correspondents, UAE Hub Mark Network’s Largest Expansion of Reporting Resources in 27 Years

In the biggest expansion of international newsgathering resources in its 27-year history, CNN Worldwide today announced plans to significantly increase the number of correspondents worldwide, open a regional newsgathering hub in the United Arab Emirates, invest in a London-based digital-production unit, and make major investments in CNN’s International Newsource and CNN’s in-house wire operations.

“This is all about owning more content; these new resources will have a huge impact across all of CNN’s networks and platforms,” said Tony Maddox, executive vice president and managing director of CNN International. “Owning the content we broadcast, publish and make available to affiliates and other platforms is the backbone of this business. This multi-million dollar investment in staff and resources bolster our world-class, award-winning journalism as well as give us the power to move swiftly into developing new business models.”

New operations are also planned for Afghanistan, Belgium, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Poland and Vietnam.

CNN will also appoint two new correspondents for the network’s Johannesburg bureau and add an additional correspondent at both its London and Istanbul bureaus.

Investments are underway in CNN’s Asia Pacific newsgathering hub in Hong Kong to increase staffing, and the network plans to assign additional correspondents in Beijing, Jakarta and Pakistan.

At the same time, CNN is also revitalizing its Tokyo bureau to encompass additional reporting duties in South Korea to work within the current structure.

CNN will significantly expand both its newsgathering and production facilities in the United Arab Emirates, bringing to bear more resources across the region in terms of programming and reporting, including more business coverage.

CNN is also expanding its international online services with the creation of a digital production unit that will be primarily based in London, with additional staffing also in Hong Kong and Atlanta. This unit will produce and feed the rapidly growing number of new platforms that CNN services globally. This team will work alongside the television operation and will be responsible for providing content for CNN International, CNNArabic.com, CNNMobile and new CNN services on TV-to-broadband sites.

CNN’s International Newsource operation will also expand to provide additional editorial, content and newsgathering services to CNN’s more than 1,000 affiliates worldwide.

CNN’s in-house wire service is also being strengthened with additional staff to ensure swift and accurate dissemination of all of the additional material becoming available across all of CNN Worldwide services and networks.

In Mexico, CNN en Español will strengthen its presence with the hiring of an anchor and correspondent and an additional editor working from the network’s Mexico City newsgathering bureau and production center. CNN en Español also will add to its editorial team in Atlanta to better service the increased volume of affiliate and stringer content and the development of new digital services.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

Here is a look at Campbell Brown's new CNN publicity photos:

CNN Pressroom - CNN Worldwide today announced it has opened a hub within Second Life, a three-dimensional virtual world entirely created by its residents. The network will look to those most familiar with the virtual world – the Second Life residents themselves – to determine what constitutes news “in-world.”

Just as CNN asks its real-life audience to submit iReports – user-generated content submitted from cell phones, computers, cameras and other equipment for broadcast and online reports – the network invites the residents of Second Life to share their own “SL iReports” about events occurring within the virtual world.

“The thing we most hope to gain by having a CNN presence in Second Life is to learn about virtual worlds and understand what news is most interesting and valuable to their residents,” said Susan Grant, executive vice president of CNN News Services. “Our iReport initiative has generated a great response from CNN viewers and users who contribute a wide variety of news, events and perspectives every day; and we are genuinely excited about the opportunity to forge a similar relationship with Second Life residents, albeit recognizing the need to customize the process for the virtual world.”

When Second Life residents observe an in-world event, they can take snapshots, shoot video, or write a report about the event and submit to CNN with a click. Submissions selected by CNN iReport producers will go back into Second Life as SL iReports for residents to view throughout the virtual world. SL iReports may also be viewed and discussed in the real world at CNN.com’s SL iReport Blog at www.CNN.com/secondlife, where users are invited to share comments and subscribe to daily e-mail updates sent via Real Simple Syndication (RSS).

CNN’s in-world hub includes a news desk where weekly editorial discussions will be held and an amphitheater for in-world events, such as training sessions and appearances by CNN anchors and correspondents. During the weekly editorial discussions, held each Tuesday at 5 p.m. (ET), one of CNN’s SL iReport ambassadors, CNN producers and editors with experience in virtual worlds, will moderate a conversation with residents about the prior week’s SL iReports and upcoming in-world events that might be interesting to cover.

At the network’s hub, residents also can meet SL iReport ambassadors and other resident reporters, as well as access iReport kiosks, free-standing terminals where residents can pick up free gear and tools for gathering and viewing in-world user-generated content.


Kiosks offer a variety of free gear and tools including:

· A “HUD” or “heads-up display,” a small, collapsible window that resides on the user’s computer screen enabling them to view the latest photo and text SL iReports while they are in Second Life;

· A continuous stream of the latest video SL iReports;

· An instructional video on what an SL iReport is and how to submit one;

· Avatar-ready apparel, including hats, T -shirts and press badges; and

· A duplicate copy of the kiosk itself, which residents can place wherever they choose across Second Life.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

CNN Pressroom - Veteran Television and New Media Executive Signs On as Senior Executive Producer

Broadcast and media technology veteran Mitch Semel joins CNN as senior executive producer for CNN’s new prime time program anchored by Campbell Brown, it was announced today by CNN/U.S. president Jon Klein. Semel will be drawing upon more than 30-years of experience in broadcasting and new media as he leads the development and production of the new program which is slated to debut in early 2008 and will air weeknights at 8 p.m. (ET) on CNN.

Semel begins Monday, Nov. 12, and will be based at CNN’s New York bureau.

“Mitch’s breadth of experience and passion for news makes him the perfect choice for this position,” Klein said. “No matter the medium, he has always shown a knack for bringing edgy ideas into the mainstream and has helped nurture the kinds of thought-provoking, freewheeling and fun shows that are right up Campbell Brown’s alley.”

“I’m thrilled to be working with a journalist of Campbell’s stature,” Semel said. “Her wide-ranging news experience and interviewing skills make her the ideal host to bring a fresh perspective on the day’s news to the 8 p.m. hour. I look forward to partnering with her to present a smart and engaging broadcast.”

Semel has worked in broadcast, cable, and public television, having overseen programming and produced prime-time and late-night shows for CBS, NBC, Nick@Nite, TVLand and Comedy Central. He served as the national head of programming for PBS and oversaw all news and public affairs programming in addition to all entertainment areas. He has been instrumental in the development of such groundbreaking shows as Politically Incorrect and Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

Semel’s expansive career spans from entertainment television to helping design and launch a 24/7 worldwide TV network and Web site for U.S. military personnel. He also created a broadband video portal for the popular Veggie Tales animated children’s series and devised strategy for cell carrier Virgin Mobile’s push into advanced mobile screen content.

Semel graduated cum laude from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University

Brown, who joined CNN in August, debuts on CNN next week as a panelist questioning presidential candidates in CNN’s Democratic debate in Las Vegas on Nov. 15.

In addition, Brown will host the Broken Government special report “Campaign Killers” later this month. The documentary examines political mudslinging, the history of negative advertisements and the role of the Internet as a viral weapon in politics today.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

Be sure to check out our YouTube channel for some great CNN promos and video clips. We're available at http://www.youtube.com/CNNObservations.

CNN Pressroom - One-of-a-Kind Global Get-Together Will Air in United States, Around World

Fareed Zakaria, editor of Newsweek International and one of the world’s leading journalists and commentators on international affairs, has joined CNN as the host of a weekly international news program that will air both on CNN/U.S. and on CNN International around the world, it was announced today by Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S.

With Americans growing increasingly aware that their most pressing concerns – including prevention of terrorism attacks, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the security of jobs and retirement nest eggs, the safety of their families’ food and toys and the health of the environment – are intertwined with events around the globe, Zakaria will draw upon his vast experience and extensive Rolodex to bring thought leaders and world leaders together to make sense of it all on a global stage.

In addition to anchoring the new weekend program, Zakaria will contribute analysis to other CNN programs across CNN Worldwide. He is based in New York.

“Fareed is the best in the world at boiling down – without dumbing down – complex issues,” Klein said. “His weekly global get-together on CNN will be invaluable to viewers who are beginning to realize that, for their own personal and financial security, they urgently need to know what’s really going on in their world.”

“CNN’s global reach is such a powerful tool for understanding a world that is growing ever more interconnected,” Zakaria said. “For one hour a week we’ll shrink the planet down to a digestible size and get to know the most important people and ideas from everywhere that are affecting our viewers’ lives.”

Zakaria will continue in his role as editor of Newsweek International, overseeing all of Newsweek’s editions abroad, as well as writing his regular column on foreign affairs in the magazine.

Zakaria has served as an analyst for ABC News, a roundtable member of This Week with George Stephanopoulos and host of Foreign Exchange with Fareed Zakaria on PBS. Before joining Newsweek, he was managing editor of Foreign Affairs, a leading journal of international politics and economics. Zakaria is the author of, most recently, The Future of Freedom, an international bestseller published in 2003 and now being translated into 20 languages. He has a new book forthcoming in May 2008. He's won numerous awards and been named to various lists, most recently the Prospect/Foreign Policy list of the world's 100 most important intellectuals. He serves on the board of Yale University, the Council of Foreign Relations and a number of other not-for-profit organizations.


Zakaria earned a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a doctorate in political science from Harvard University.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

CNN Pressroom - Wolf Blitzer, Campbell Brown, John Roberts, Nevada Voters Question Democrats

As Democratic presidential candidates ratchet up the intensity of their campaigns, CNN and the Nevada Democratic Party will gather the leading hopefuls for a face-off in Las Vegas on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m. (ET)/5 p.m. (PT). The Democratic National Committee-sanctioned debate, moderated by CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer, will be held at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

For the first hour, candidates will address questions from Blitzer and CNN anchors John Roberts and Campbell Brown, in her debut assignment for CNN. In the second and final hour, candidates will respond to questions from an audience made up of more than 100 undecided registered voters. White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux will facilitate audience participation.

This debate has the distinction of being the first-ever U.S. presidential debate to air live in a high-definition (HD) format. It will be broadcast live on CNN HD and in standard-definition formats on CNN/U.S., CNN International, Headline News, CNN Radio, CNN Airport Network and CNN en Español. The debate also will be streamed on CNN.com Live and will be available after the debate through CNN.com’s on-demand video service.

CNN will continue its policy of making all debate footage from the 2008 election cycle available without restriction upon the conclusion of each debate.

Additionally, CNN will air intensive and in-depth political coverage live from Las Vegas surrounding the debate. Programming highlights include:



Wednesday, Nov. 14

4 p.m.-7 p.m. The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer live on location in Las Vegas

7 p.m.-8 p.m. Lou Dobbs Tonight with anchor Lou Dobbs live on location in Las Vegas



Thursday, Nov. 15

6 a.m.-9 a.m. American Morning with John Roberts live on location in Las Vegas

4 p.m.-7 p.m. The Situation Room with Blitzer live on location in Las Vegas

7 p.m.-8 p.m. Lou Dobbs Tonight with Dobbs live on location in Las Vegas

8 p.m.-10 p.m. CNN/Nevada Democratic Party Presidential Primary Debate

10 p.m.-11 p.m. Special Anderson Cooper 360º post-debate program anchored by Anderson Cooper and featuring Blitzer, Roberts and Campbell Brown live on location in Las Vegas

11p.m.-1 a.m. Replay of CNN/Nevada Democratic Party Presidential Primary Debate



Friday, Nov. 16

6 a.m.-9 a.m. American Morning with Roberts live on location in Las Vegas



CNN’s Emmy Award-winning political team will provide reports for CNN’s numerous networks and services: Dana Bash, congressional correspondent; Candy Crowley, senior political correspondent; Gloria Borger, senior political analyst; Ed Henry, White House correspondent; Joe Johns, correspondent; John King, chief national correspondent; Elaine Quijano, White House correspondent; Bill Schneider, senior political analyst; and Jessica Yellin, congressional correspondent. Political contributors will include Paul Begala, Bill Bennett, Donna Brazile, James Carville, Amy Holmes and J.C. Watts.

CNN.com will stream live coverage of the debate, as well as post-debate responses and commentary. The site also will offer on-demand video as well as an “All Access” podcast showing behind-the-scenes footage of the presidential debates. CNN’s top political producers and reporters will offer behind-the-scenes tidbits, immediate reflections and on-the-spot analysis on CNNPolitics.com and at the CNN Political Ticker (www.CNN.com/ticker).

CNN Radio will provide live anchored coverage of the debate with Jim Roope and Lisa Desjardins anchoring from Las Vegas. CNN Newsource will provide its affiliates access to reports and live shots on-site correspondents, Samantha Hayes.

CNN Student News will present the news of these debates and free classroom materials that help to tie these

political events to the textbook. Teachers, parents and students can find the CNN Student News program and its curriculum materials online at www.CNNStudentNews.com and on Headline News from Monday through Friday at 4:00 a.m. (ET)

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

CNN International's Isha Sesay is on CNN Domestic this hour reporting on CNN Newsroom at their (new?) International Update Desk. She is there watching the Pakistan story.

So, you may have been able to catch it this morning. What do you think of Morning Express with Robin Meade? Leave us a comment or send a note to our feedback form and we'll post them here.

CNN International's World News was presented tonight by Isha Sesay from the CNN Domestic newsroom while CNN Domestic's Out In The Open was presented from the CNN International set.

The Morning Express with Robin Meade site has launched, and it can be reached at http://www.cnn.com/robin.

CNN Press Release - Fast-Paced Headline News Program Led by Robin Meade Goes Live with New Name on Monday, Nov. 5

Headline News’ flagship morning program Robin & Company becomes Morning Express with Robin Meade, effective Monday, Nov. 5, it was announced today by Ken Jautz, EVP of CNN Worldwide.

In an effort to give its viewers the news they need in the morning, in the manner that today’s busy lifestyle requires, Morning Express will continue to deliver news reports every 30 minutes, along with breaking news as warranted.

“We aim to provide a quickly paced and comprehensive summary of the news, which matches people’s needs in the morning as they're preparing for their day,” Jautz commented. “The show’s energy and style stand out in the morning broadcast landscape, and the new name better captures that.”

The program’s lineup includes lead anchor Robin Meade; news correspondent Richard Lui; meteorologist Bob Van Dillen and “Your Money” correspondent Jennifer Westhoven. Morning Express airs from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. (ET) every weekday.

Among the newest additions to the program are Meade’s “Morning Sunshine” e-mail newsletter for viewers and fans; the program’s hourly “Salute to Troops” segment designed to pay homage to military personnel and their families, a feature that also has evolved into an online photo gallery and blog; a segment with Van Dillen featuring weather-related i-Reports submitted from viewers; “V-Mails,” video messages sent from viewers who weigh in on topical issues; and “America’s Favorite Cities,” an on-air extension of Travel + Leisure magazine’s popular survey of the top travel spots in the country.

With the re-launch of the program, Morning Express extends to other platforms with Meade answering viewer e-mails in a Web-exclusive segment for the program’s page at www.CNN/Morning.Express. A weekly podcast with Meade will debut on Friday, Nov. 9, and will be available at http://www.CNN.com/podcasting/ and at CNN’s dedicated space on iTunes.

“Mornings are such an intimate, and frequently hectic, part of the day for our viewers, so I feel privileged that they invite us into their homes each day for their first dose of news and information,” Meade said.

Headline News, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, updates viewers constantly, 24 hours each day, with complete and concise national newscasts throughout the day and a compelling slate of legal, entertainment and talk programs during Headline Prime at night. The “Need to Know” network delivers fast-paced, lively and engaging news, using the best resources of CNN Worldwide. Headline News is designed especially for viewers who want relevant and comprehensive news in a way that suits the urgency of their schedules.