CNN Academy Abu Dhabi has welcomed its third cohort of students leading with a climate reporting masterclass from Bill Weir moderated by Becky Anderson, Managing Editor, CNN Abu Dhabi, and Anchor.
The interactive session, hosted at the Yas Creative Hub, explored how to engage audiences, the importance of science, informing people about solutions to environmental challenges, and looking ahead to COP 28.
It marked the beginning of a 12-week journalism training course, which will have an emphasis on climate storytelling and provide access to professionals from the world’s news organisations.
Anderson said: “With COP 28 almost upon us, and during a year in which we have seen some incredibly dramatic and alarming climate stories, there could scarcely be a more important moment to bring climate storytelling into focus.
“CNN’s Climate Unit has been on the frontline of so many of these stories, so to have Bill Weir address this group was a fantastic opportunity.
“He is a consummate storyteller, with deep knowledge of the science behind the climate crisis as well as first-hand experience of reporting in extreme environments and the devastating aftermath of climate-related disasters.
“It was the perfect way to begin our 12-week CNN Academy training, and I’m sure it will have been as inspiring for our Academicians as it was for me.”
They will join weekly live workshops from CNN Abu Dhabi staff plus weekly masterclasses delivered by professionals around the world.
The academicians will have access to extensive media technology facilities, equipment, infrastructure and student liaison support from the creative lab.
Digital learning will also take place via the custom-built CNN Academy hub, which features learning resources created by CNN’s global anchors, reporters, production, and technical teams.
The programme will culminate in the second annual CNN Academy Newsroom Simulation.
This will be held this year against the backdrop of COP 28, from December 3rd to 10th, where the participants from CNN Academy Abu Dhabi group will also be joined by participants from other CNN Academy programmes taking place across the globe.
