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May 2, 2006

Amanpour says U.S. credibility at 'all-time low'

PROVIDENCE – The credibility of the United States has dropped to an “all-time low” around the world, with people unsure about what the U.S. will do next, CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour said this morning when she addressed working journalists and alumni, faculty, administrators and students from her alma mater, the University of Rhode Island.

In Providence for the day, CNN’s chief international correspondent will speak again at 11 a.m. today as part of Business Expo 2006, an annual business showcase held today and tomorrow at the Rhode Island Convention Center. That talk is free and open to the public. (See who is exhibiting at this year’s show, which is sponsored in part by The Providence Journal).

In her talk this morning at The Providence Journal, Amanpour spoke about the state of journalism today and encouraged local television reporters to continue pursuing stories with an international angle. Amanpour said she just doesn’t believe the frequent statement that viewers and readers don’t care about world events.

Considering the view of the U.S. around the world, Amanpour encouraged young people – regardless of the profession they’re pursuing – to take a year off and go out into the world “and show the real face of the U.S.”

“And start building bridges,” she said.

Amanpour said she still believes this is the “best profession” and an important one.
She said her e-mail inbox is “overwhelmed by young people” asking if they should go into the news profession.

“Good journalism enriches our societies and our world,” she said. “There is no doubt, but that message has been lost.”

Asked to comment on new media on the Internet, including blogs, and the impact it has in countries with state-run media, such as Iran, Amanpour pointed out that Farsi, the language spoken in Iran, is the fourth most-used language on the Internet.

By all means, the Internet breaks down the barriers that exist in countries with state control over the media, she said.

What concerns her with the Internet, though, is that “anything goes.”

“Now, anybody who wants to can be your provider of news,” Amanpour said.
The big challenge for those online is “to know what’s true and what’s not,” she said.

-- Projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 10:02 AM | Permalink

May 2, 2006

Amanpour says U.S. credibility at 'all-time low'

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