Middle East is important to CNN

Dubai: Internationally recognised journalist and CNN anchor Becky Anderson believes the Middle East is a "massively important region" in terms of business and news.

Anderson is in Dubai, along with at least 2,000 delegates taking part in the 40th annual International Advertising Association World Congress which ends on Thursday.

Anderson feels that the perception of the Middle East has been mainly of war, but admits there is much more to the story.

"I certainly feel that war is not the main issue. There is so much more happening in the region.

"Just look at the growth in tourism, the market and the business involved," said Anderson. "It isn't all about security issues and terrorism."

Anderson joined CNN in 1999 as the launch anchor for CNN'S breakfast show World Business This Morning, and since the introduction of Business International in 2001, Anderson has interviewed a wide range of officials in the world of finance and politics.

The appetite for business news grew in the 1990s, when everyone started to buy shares and became interested in market developments, according to Anderson, who also worked with CNBC Europe and Bloomberg.

One of the main focuses then became one of how business news would be packaged.

"It was quite a challenge to be one of the first anchors and especially as a woman at that time when everyone had this huge appetite for and was interested in business," she added.

Anderson has since come to Dubai on numerous occasions and is surprised by the fast development of the emirate on each trip.

Even though there is no regional English news coverage in Dubai, Anderson believes the number of publications available in the market fills that gap.

"All I have to do is pick up a magazine and Gulf News and I know exactly what major events are taking place and who will be in town, so I don't feel I am missing anything," she said.

Measured coverage

The Middle East is second to none, added Anderson, and its importance does not stem from 9/11, it is mainly related to culture and lifestyle.

There are many regions at the pinnacle of development, and Dubai is right up there on top, says Anderson.

"CNN is pretty measured in its coverage. We have our best correspondents and bureaus in this region because it is an exciting region to be in."

The CNN anchor also went to Kuwait in 2003 as part of the CNN anchor team in the Gulf providing news reports and interviews throughout the war in Iraq.

"The biggest challenge for me was being in Kuwait. We were literally working 24 hours because we had to be on top of what was happening," said Anderson.

"It is a fascinating experience for any journalist to know you are right there in the middle of the action, so at the same time it was very exciting,"

Another challenging experience for Anderson was being in Pakistan during the recent earthquake, at a time when it was the duty of international media to remain there and report on the devastation.

"It was amazing to be there and experience the aid effort taking place. It is very hard for a journalist not to get caught up in some stories," she said.

"However, I was determined to stay there and use all our recourses responsibly,"

Anderson's advice for aspiring journalists is to make and grab opportunities and enjoy them as they come, because nothing is based on pure luck.