As we embark on the second iteration of the CNN Academy Abu Dhabi, I’m pleased to mark our 12th year of collaborating with twofour54 as our CNN bureau in Abi Dhabi continues to be a key hub for CNN globally and alongside CNN Arabic, which celebrates its 20th anniversary, cements our prominence and dedication to the region.

Rani Raad, President of CNN Commercial Worldwide

June 15, 2022

Following the success of the inaugural CNN Academy Abu Dhabi in 2021, the training scheme for emerging journalistic talent recommences this September.

A group of 25 participants will learn from experts at the world’s leading news brand and build a valuable set of industry skills to tell engaging stories across multiple platforms. The immersive training scheme will offer hybrid learning through in-person workshops at Yas Creative Hub, the first purpose-built development for media, creativity, and gaming in the region. It will also offer online webinars with senior CNN journalists, content creators and production specialists to learn CNN best practice in newsgathering, verifying sources and producing content for its various platforms.

During the first weeks of CNN Academy Abu Dhabi, participants will complete ten courses on core topics such as ethics in journalism, writing for TV news and mobile storytelling and editing. There will also be the opportunity to attend Global Media Congress alongside delegates from CNN.

For the final week of the training programme, participants will take part in the very first CNN Academy Newsroom Simulation at Yas Creative Hub. This has been designed in consultation with CNN journalists from around the world and will be a competitive challenge to investigate and report on a fictional breaking news story that puts journalism skills to the test in a realistic, fast-paced setting.

Further to the first CNN Academy Abu Dhabi, several of the participants have gone on to careers in the media including five who have experienced working for CNN in a mixture of paid internships, fixed term and full-time roles.

See academy.cnn.com/abudhabi for more information on how to apply and read more here.