Caroline Tautz – CNN Executive

Faith Collides

Caroline Tautz has played a pivotal role in bringing Arabic news and media content on a digital platform to the Middle East.
In 2001, Caroline was asked to set up the first Arabic news service for CNN in the Gulf. Fluent in both Arabic and English, she was in charge of overseeing the launch of the CNN Arabic site and for covering news stories during a time of great regional upheaval. Caroline was the editor-in-chief for CNN Arabic services during a period of the US-led invasion of Iraq, the Arab spring, and the rise of the Islamist militant group ISIS. In 2015, CNN appointed Caroline as Vice President of Arabic Services, and Rani R. Raad Chief Commercial Officer for CNN International stated, “Our continued investment under Caroline’s leadership in CNN Arabic reflects the strength of our aspirations for this region.” Today as the Dubai Chief Operations Director, Caroline continues to grow the CNN Arabic brand and build its operation in the region.
In this episode, Caroline opens up for the very first time about how her career ambition became a reality. Caroline grew up in Jordan at a time when her community favored men over women. But fortunately for Caroline, her grandfather gave her the opportunities to sit in high ranking tribal meetings, ask questions, and join a children’s TV station. When it was time for college, he paved the way for her to pursue journalism. Upon receiving a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications from Yarmouk University in Jordan, Caroline started working as a political reporter for Al Ra’i – the leading Arabic daily newspaper in Jordan.
In 1990, Caroline represented the Jordanian delegation in Washington D.C. to cover the Arab-Israeli peace process, and as a journalist, found herself in the middle of a political situation beyond her control; she was viewed as a traitor to her country under the leadership of King Hussein. Caroline’s brother encouraged her to turn to her faith; and for the first time, Caroline realized there was a King who was above all kings in this world. And when the dust settled, Caroline was not only cleared from the situation, but continued to thrive in her role as a journalist and in her relationship with the Jordanian Royal Palace.
Caroline shares how she got the opportunity to work for CNN, and how her faith has shaped the way she now looks at her work.
Follow Caroline on her social media.
Twitter: @cfaraj
LinkedIn: Caroline Faraj
Special thanks: Caroline and Carsten Tautz, Chris Benderev, Hannah Shinoda, Patricia Robson
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Faith Collides podcast is hosted by Grace Huang from Lux Mundi. More information: www.lxmundi.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/faithcollides/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/faithcollides/support