CNN embarks on its heaviest multi-million dollar investment

Global - CNN will hire more correspondents, open a regional hub in UAE, start a London digital-production unit and invest further in its International Newsource and in-house wire operations - as it embarks on its largest newsgathering resources expansion.

Its expansion plans will include Hong Kong - its APAC newsgathering hub - getting new hires along with additional correspondents in Beijing, Jakarta and Pakistan; and its Tokyo bureau will be responsible for getting South Korean content too. New operations are also planned for Afghanistan, Belgium, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Poland and Vietnam.

"Owning the content we broadcast, publish and make available to affiliates and other platforms is the backbone of this business and these new resources will have a huge impact across all of CNN's networks and platforms. This multi-million dollar investment in staff and resources bolsters our journalism as well as give us the power to move swiftly into developing new business models," CNN International's EVP and MD Tony Maddox said.

The UAE expansion will allow it to get more resources across the region in terms of programming and reporting, including more business coverage. Its online services expansion with a London-based digital production with additional staffing in Hong Kong and Atlanta and will provide content to CNN International, CNNArabic.com, CNNMobile and new CNN services on TV-to-broadband sites.

After the expansion, the International Newsource operation will provide editorial, content and newsgathering services to affiliates and the in-house wire service will get more staff to disseminate material across its services and networks.

On other CNN related news, the media giant will open a hub within Second Life and invite users to participate in iReports - user-generated content submitted from cell phones, computers, cameras and other equipment for broadcast and online reports - on events occurring within the virtual world.