Al Jazeera America has named Joie Chen the anchor of its primetime newsmagazine, “America Tonight.” Chen is a CNN and CBS News veteran, and most recently worked as a media consultant in Washington DC. She left CBS News in 2008, as we reported at the time.
Before joining CBS Chen spent more than a decade at CNN and CNN International.
“I’m thrilled to create world-class journalism with some of the best in the business,” said Chen in a statement. “America Tonight will bring together the powerful and diverse voices of Al Jazeera America and stand out from other networks with its fearless, unbiased reporting,” she added.
Among the contributors to “America Tonight” will be Soledad O’Brien, as well as a number of correspondents AJAM recently added. It will air every weeknight at 9 PM, making it one of AJAM’s signature shows.
More below.
JOIE CHEN TO HOST AMERICA TONIGHT
Primetime Show Will Be At Heart Of Al Jazeera America’s Primetime Schedule
NEW YORK – (July 24, 2013) – Al Jazeera America, the new American news channel that will launch on August 20, today announced that Emmy Award-winning journalist Joie Chen will host America Tonight, the channel’s daily primetime news and current affairs magazine program.
“Joie is a strong journalist with a natural, warm presence on screen and we’re excited to see her at the heart of our primetime schedule,” said Paul Eedle, Al Jazeera America’s deputy launch manager in charge of programs. “Joie will be a leading member of a wonderful array of anchor and reporter talent at Al Jazeera America reflecting the full diversity of this country today.”
As host of America Tonight, Chen will probe pressing news issues through character-driven stories, groundbreaking investigative pieces and interviews with prominent newsmakers.
“I’m thrilled to create world-class journalism with some of the best in the business,” said Chen, who spent more than a decade at CNN. “America Tonight will bring together the powerful and diverse voices of Al Jazeera America and stand out from other networks with its fearless, unbiased reporting,” she added.
Chen worked at both CNN International and at CNN’s domestic operation where she received an Emmy Award for her work as an anchor covering the bombing at Centennial Olympic Park during the 1996 Atlanta Games. She won a CableACE best newscaster award as co-anchor of CNN’s The World Today. She also created and anchored the network’s first effort to integrate its online audience with its on-air news program, CNN News Site with Joie Chen. Chen also spent six years as a correspondent and anchor at CBS News in Washington, D.C. where she covered the White House and Capitol Hill, news events in 20 states, and 3 presidential summit meetings. She also reported for the network’s legendary broadcast, CBS Sunday Morning. She won an Emmy Award for her coverage of the three-week sniper siege in the Washington, D.C. area.
ABOUT AL JAZEERA AMERICA
Al Jazeera America, which will launch on August 20, is the new U.S. news channel that will provide both domestic and international news for American audiences. It will be headquartered in New York City with additional bureaus in key locations across the United States.Visit Al Jazeera America online at http://www.aljazeera.com/america for the latest updates. You can also like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aljazeeraamericaand follow us on Twitter @AJAM (www.twitter.com/ajam) and join the conversation using #AlJazeeraAmerica.