Despite a ‘De Facto Ban’ On Western Journalists, CNN’s Clarissa Ward Returns to Yemen

By Chris Ariens 

Stranded in Yemen once before while reporting from the war-torn nation, CNN’s Clarissa Ward returned to country earlier this month to report on the growing humanitarian crises.

Ward says she and her crew spent more than 6 months trying to get into the country.

“The Saudi Arabia-led coalition had a de facto ban on Western journalists entering the country for months,” she told TVNewser. “No matter what visas and permissions we managed to get, we kept coming up against new hurdles. It became almost an obsession for us, and producer Salma Abdelaziz doggedly pursued it until she found a contact who was finally able to get us national security clearance.”

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The same thing happened in 2015, when, as a CBS News correspondent, she finally gained access, only to find herself stranded. She eventually made it out, and vowed to return. More than two years later the civil war continues and the humanitarian crises grows. But Ward is mindful of her role as a reporter first, and change agent second.

“I think as a journalist it’s important not to get consumed by the idea that you can effect change, because that can be very draining and disillusioning when you aren’t able to make a difference,” she said. “I really try to stay humble with my goals. Get to the place, get a great story, get home safely. If I can shine a light on a story that hasn’t been getting a huge amount of media attention, if I can get someone in the U.S. to engage or empathize with people in a remote corner of the world, then that’s a huge bonus.”

As CNN’s senior international correspondent, globe-trotting Ward has reported from Greenland, Bangladesh and Yemen in the last few months. She also happens to be 6 months pregnant.

“Obviously, with a baby on the way in March, I will be scaling down on the adventurous travel for a bit,” she said. “But international news is my absolute passion and I won’t be giving it up any time soon. It’s all about balance–or so they tell me–and I am very fortunate to have an incredibly supportive husband and family.”

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