CNN Anchor Inducted Into Cronkite Alumni Hall of Fame

Becky Anderson

CNN International anchor and host Becky Anderson is the 2012 Cronkite Alumni Hall of Fame inductee.

Anderson, who earned a master’s degree from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in 1994, hosts CNN International’s “Connect the World,” the network’s flagship news and current affairs program. In this role, she has interviewed many prominent world leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, South African President Jacob Zuma and Mexican President Felipe Calderón.

In addition, Anderson frequently covers breaking news around the world for CNN. In 2011, she reported from Greece on that country’s anti-austerity riots, from Tunisia on the Arab Spring uprising and from France on the G-20 summit held in Cannes. She also hosted the network’s coverage of the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks from Ground Zero in New York.

A native of Britain, Anderson hosted CNN’s coverage of the country’s 2010 elections and helped lead coverage of the July 7, 2005, terror attacks in London. She anchored CNN’s coverage of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict from Beirut and has played a key role in the network’s coverage of the war in Iraq. She also led CNN’s London-based coverage of the 2004 U.S. presidential election, the G-20 protests and the marriage of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles.

Anderson, who also holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and French from Sussex University, began her journalism career in Arizona as a reporter for various business publications. She held positions with ITN, CNBC Europe and Bloomberg before joining CNN in 1999.

“I can’t think of a better role model for our young journalists at the Cronkite School than Becky Anderson,” said Cronkite Dean Christopher Callahan. “Her comprehensive, objective and fearless coverage of the world sets a tremendous example for Cronkite students.”

Anderson credits the Cronkite School with launching her journalism career.

“The two years I had at ASU really set me up for my career,” she said.

Anderson also is one of the school’s Hearst Visiting Professionals this semester. She will give a public lecture tonight at 6 p.m. in Cronkite’s First Amendment Forum as part of the school’s “Must See Mondays” speaker series.

Anderson is the 45th inductee into the Cronkite Alumni Hall of Fame.