CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour was named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Freedom of Expression and Journalist Safety in a ceremony at the Organization’s Headquarters in Paris today.
UNESCO director-general Irina Bokova named the CNN newser “in recognition of her efforts to promote free, independent and pluralistic media, having the right to work free from the threat of violence, and contributing through this to peace, sustainability, poverty eradication and human rights.”
During her acceptance speech, Amanpour stressed the important role of journalists as “pillars of reform, freedom and democracy” whose task was to “strengthen civil society.” She went on to say that journalist are here to “make the world a better place.”