Becky Anderson
Propelled by a passionate determination to get to the heart of a story and make a difference, CNN International’s Becky Anderson is usually hard at work covering major international news like the Iraqi war. The British Anderson, who has a master’s degree from Arizona’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, is also just as adept at interviewing top world leaders and A-listers.
As one of the cable network’s highest profile anchors, she is the host of “Connect the World with Becky Anderson” and Managing Editor of the CNN Abu Dhabi bureau as well. Her recent attention to women’s issues and regional experience have caught our eye and compelled us to see her on the other side of the interview table.
What inspired you to become a journalist?
It’s a cliché, perhaps, but I became a journalist because I wanted to make a difference, and I can honestly say that still holds true today, perhaps even more than when I started. In fact I would even say that feeling has intensified since I moved to the Middle East. There are so many extraordinary stories here, and it is so important they are told.
What personal attributes do you think propelled you to become one of the most well-known female faces in the field of journalism today?
I’m very flattered you think I’m one of the best known faces! I suppose I would think about it in terms of the advice I’d give someone who is just starting out as a journalist. I remember reading a quote by the actor Paul Newman who said, “I've been very lucky, but I've started to realise that the harder I work, the luckier I get,” and that is also absolutely true of journalism. You have to commit yourself to the job wholeheartedly and be prepared to make sacrifices. You need to have a real hunger to get to the bottom of a story, and find your way to the truth. I think that this is one of the most fascinating careers you can have, it’s always different, and there’s always something that gives you the energy and focus to keep working hard. That definitely helps.
You’ve interviewed prominent leaders in the past. Can you name a few who you thought were exceptional?
There are so many, and all tend to have something compelling about them; but I’m not sure there’s one leader who stands out. The really impressive people tend to come from a different end of the spectrum. One example that sticks in my mind is the honesty and integrity of the young student doctors and nurses in Pakistan who mobilised to the Himalayas to work around-the-clock in makeshift hospitals after the earthquake in 2005. There are so many others, though. I think above all it’s the people I've met over the years who’ve been selfless in the face of danger: the activists who choose to stand up against oppression, or the refugee father who has led his family to safety, leaving everything behind; it’s the ordinary people doing extraordinary things, those are the exceptional ones.
Do you have one particularly memorable international assignment?
Again, there are so many, and it’s hard to pick one out. A recent one that sticks in my mind for unusual reasons was reporting from the US aircraft carrier the USS George H W Bush. I can tell you that landing on an aircraft carrier in a transport plane is not for the faint-hearted. It gave me new respect for the skill of the pilots doing that every day. You certainly need a strong stomach!
You’ve focused on covering issues affecting women lately. Can you highlight a few issues you feel the most passionate about?
There are some truly extraordinary, remarkable women in the Middle East. There’s a myth that women in this region are somehow disempowered, but I’ve interviewed so many women in positions of influence since I’ve been here, far more than men, in fact. There is real momentum for change in the role of women here, and interviewing people like the UAE’s first female fighter pilot, and meeting the likes of Queen Rania of Jordan as well as countless women in business, education and science has shown me there’s an exciting future for women here. That is a story I am passionate about telling, because it is a story people outside this region are often surprised by.
Having lived in Abu Dhabi, how has your experience of living in the Middle East been?
It has been an enormous privilege to work here full time, and I’m enjoying life here very much. Aside from the role of women, which I’ve already talked about, I would say two things in particular have struck me: the first of those is just how well educated and informed people are here. There is a hunger for knowledge, and young people are so engaged with the world. That is inspiring, and makes me hopeful that, in spite of the very tough challenges this region faces, the next generation can lead us through. The second is the entrepreneurial spirit here, which may be linked to the first point. This is such an energetic, creative region, and there are so many exciting things happening here, especially in business and the arts. There’s a can-do spirit here that I think some other parts of the world have lost.
You have actually travelled extensively around the Middle East for your “Connect the World” show. Which country was the most challenging to cover and why?
I think one of the most important parts of my role is to show just how diverse this region is, and I think every country here has its own unique challenges. Of course there are some places where, sadly, security issues make reporting extremely difficult, but for me the challenge is more about bringing every aspect of a country to my reporting. There are so many preconceptions about the Middle East out there, and I feel a great sense of responsibility in confronting those. I hope my show has given people from outside the region an insight into aspects of life here that they perhaps didn’t expect or understand.
You now have a distinctive regional perspective, so what are your thoughts on women in Lebanon?
Lebanon is one of my favourite countries in the world. Beirut in particular is so vibrant, and the energy there is uniquely beguiling. The people I’ve met in Lebanon reflect that energy I think. There is a toughness that comes from living in a city that has had its share of difficult times, but a tremendous sense of optimism, passion and creativity too. It’s infectious.
