CNN to broadcast first live news show from Abu Dhabi with new hub

Following the recent relaunch of its website, broadcaster CNN has created a new ‘newsgathering hub’ based in Abu Dhabi.

The new online and TV production facility will be the central point for seven newsgathering operations in the region: Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Dubai, Jerusalem, Kabul and Islamabad.

It will also enable CNN to broadcast its first daily live news show from the Middle East – PRISM, hosted by Stan Grant, pictured below:

More than 24 staff will run the operation, which according to a press announcement includes a four-camera digital studio and fully integrated newsroom.

“This region unquestionably plays an integral part in world affairs, and the new hub in Abu Dhabi gives us the opportunity to get to the heart of the rich and diverse stories across the political, business, social and cultural spectrums.”

“The establishment of a permanent broadcast and production centre in the Middle East by CNN is a significant and unique move by a Western news broadcaster. It gives CNN a powerful base from which to coordinate seven regional bureaus and showcase a new daily news show from the Middle East,” Tony Maddox, managing director and executive vice president of CNN International, said at the launch.

Similar posts:

• The best of the week’s media jobs on Journalism.co.uk
• #Tip of the day from Journalism.co.uk – Middle East media news feed
• MediaShift: Blogs could help forward peace journalism in Middle East
• Al Jazeera strikes RSS deal with Sony Ericsson
• Northcliffe titles work together for East Midlands business site

Independent.co.uk: Is Martin Newland stepping down as the National’s editor already?

Update 2 9/07/09: Jen Gerson’s update: Newland is ‘up’ not ‘out’ she says. Here’s the National’s report on the changes. Newland ‘has left the editorship for a more business-focused role overseeing the newspaper as its editorial director,’ it said.

Update 8/07/09: (via @SpotonPR) AdNation Middle East reports, following speculation, (see example below) that ‘Martin Newland has stepped aside as editor of The National, he officially announced today at a newsroom meeting at the Abu Dhabi paper, according to posts on Twitter by journalists at the paper’. The article states:

“The former Telegraph editor will remain at the paper as editorial director. Hassan Fattah, currently deputy editor, will take on the Big Chair, and Bob Cowan will become deputy in his place.”

Jen Gerson (@jengerson), a tourism reporter at the paper, tweeted one hour ago:

“Newland standing aside as editor in ‘worst kept secret in Abu Dhabi.’ Wants to move into business side.”

Speculation from the ‘Feral Beast’ column in yesterday’s Independent on Sunday:

“Just a year after the launch of The National in Abu Dhabi, rumours swirl that Martin Newland is to step down. The former Daily Telegraph editor set up the English-language paper, recruiting several ex-Telegraph hacks to join him.

“(…) My mole says Newland will continue to work for the paper but not as editor. I’m told his replacement will need to be pro the Emirates government and royal family, its proprietors. Newland did not return my calls.”

Full column at this link… (Hat tip: @PaulMcNally for Press Gazette)

What appeared to be details of the National’s salaries, including Martin Newland’s, were leaked earlier this year, as reported by the Guardian’s Media Monkey. Monkey suggested that, if ‘figures are believed’, Newland took home ‘a cool tax-free annual take home of about £320,000 a year’.

Similar posts:

• Newland launches Emirates newspaper
• MediaGuardian: Abu Dhabi’s The National to publish seven days a week
• Ethical question of the day: would it be justifiable to pay for MPs’ expenses information?
• Dominic Mohan named editor of the Sun
• Erm… new job? What new job? Confusion at Cision