Nine AUS journalism students train at CNN

Nine American University of Sharjah journalism students participated in a day-long TV news training session in CNN's Abu Dhabi Bureau on October 10.

In addition to developing newswriting, editing and presentation skills under professional supervision, the students heard first-hand experiences from CNN anchors Becky Anderson and John Defterios during the Journalism Day III event.

AUS students attending the training session were Danna Abrahim, Taghreed Almadani, Layla Waseem AlSawan, Samar Choob Bor, Izaac Cole, Reem Mohamed Nehad Ibrahim, Naila Iqbal, Anisha Pamnani and Sarah Zimrik. All are participants in a senior projects course offered by the AUS Department of Mass Communication.

The students were accompanied by AUS professors Dr. Ralph Berenger, Dr. Hania Nashef and Ana Gavassa.Anderson, the anchor of CNN's Connect the World news show, talked about a day in the life of a journalist, and the rigors and demands of the profession. A skilled interviewer, Anderson has vast experience covering the Middle East. Previously, she hosted Business International. She has worked at CNN since 1999.

Defterios, editor of CNN's Emerging Markets programming, welcomed students to the network's Abu Dhabi studio at twofour54 and then discussed the importance and challenges of a fast-pace industry in the 21st century. He hosts Marketplace Middle East and Global Exchange on CNN International. Before he came to CNN, Defterios worked for PBS's Nightly Business Report and produced the World Business show on CNBC.

Other schools participating were Zayed University, New York University-Abu Dhabi and the American Community School. This was the first time AUS journalism students participated in the event.

Students learned how to make a TV news broadcast under the direction of Alireza Hajihosseini, producer of Connect the World. Students learned about various roles in a television production from anchor to camera operator and produced short newscasts.

The event was sponsored by CNN, the American Community School and the Zayed University Student Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.