5 minutes with... Rosemary Church, award-winning international news anchor with CNN

They say if it's the right chair then it doesn't take too long to get comfortable. So you would assume that after 18 years as the international news anchor for renowned global news broadcasting channel CNN, University of Canberra alumnus, Rosemary Church feels right at home.

Based in CNN's world headquarters in Atlanta, Rosemary's business day starts every night after her children have had dinner, when she heads into the studio to anchor the 2-4am edition of CNN Newsroom, reporting on the biggest news stories from around the world, in time zones outside the US. In her time at CNN, Rosemary has reported on all major world events that have unfolded across the globe in the last 20 or so years, including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the rise of ISIS, 9/11 and all major terrorist attacks since, the Arab Spring and the global fight against the deadly Ebola virus.

We were lucky enough to talk to Rosemary to find out about her career climb, from studying media and law at UC to landing her dream job with CNN and covering some of the most defining news stories of the century in a time when the news media landscape is changing irrevocably thanks to new technology and social trends.

Q. Throughout your career you have covered some of the biggest news stories of the past 25 years. Is there one which stands out above the others, or an event which seemed almost unbelievable at the time?

A. As a journalist, and as a human being, the events of 9/11 stand out, above all others, as the day the world changed forever. Terrorists successfully carried out a string of disturbingly audacious attacks on US soil, and there was no way of knowing at the time, if this was the start of a long ongoing attack, or the finale to a horrifying strike. The events were surreal and hard to fathom. CNN's coverage on that day, and for the days that followed, was tough for everyone. This was happening on our own turf, not thousands of miles away, and emotions were high. We all knew someone who had either been injured or killed on that tragic day. Everyone was affected in some way. Some journalists, myself included, struggled with our emotions on air. It was a story none of us would ever forget, and every year, when we remember that day, it is heart wrenching to hear the stories of all those who lost their lives and the loved ones left behind to deal with the shocking loss and aftermath.

The other significant news day that seemed to bring a level of closure to 9/11 was the demise of Osama bin Laden. I was working the night we got word that the architect of 9/11 had been killed. It was an incredible story to report, as the details came in on how Osama bin Laden met his end. I would have to say, that these two stories, above all others, stand out, and will be remembered forever.

You have received a number of awards during your career, what do you think are the key elements of good news reporting?

News reporting has evolved significantly in the time that I have been in the industry. When I first started, you never dared inject your views into a story. Our role was to get to the truth of the matter and simply report the facts on all sides of the story, leaving it to the viewer to reach their own opinion. We continue to follow that method of reporting at CNN, but we're seeing more and more cable news outlets inject their political views into stories, with the aim of getting higher ratings, and in some instances that works for them. Some people want to be told what to think on particular issues, others prefer to reach their own conclusions. I'm very much old school, preferring to be given the facts on all sides of the story and to reach my own opinion. That's what I like, so that's what I ensure my shows provide on CNN.

You've now been covering news for 25 years, what have been the biggest changes you've seen over that time?

The internet has been a game changer for our industry. It has altered the way people consume news, as they cherry pick the items they're interested in, taking from a variety of news sources from all across the globe. People are more engaged in news now than ever before, and that's because of the internet. For anyone remotely interested in what goes on in the world around them, the facts are at their fingertips. There is so much competition to get as many readers and viewers as possible that the digital platforms of all news outlets are constantly improving their websites. The competition is fierce, and I think that our viewers and readers benefit from that.

Social media is probably the biggest change that I have witnessed in the many years that I've been in this business. I never imagined for a moment that the day would come when I would be able to receive comments from my viewers in real time, while I'm anchoring a show. Twitter allows me to reply to my viewers at any time throughout my two hour show. I'm able to retweet any photos that viewers send of themselves watching CNN, I can send out tweets on what's ahead in the show, and post out snappytv.com segments from the show that's airing. It's incredible and simply revolutionary when I compare it to what was available when I first started in the TV industry. Viewers would write me letters and I would reply with a signed photo. We've come a long way!

There seems to be a growing acknowledgement that quality investigative journalism - particularly in Australia - is disappearing and being replaced by more "fluff" news, and advertorials. Do you think this is the case generally, and if so what is behind it?

I'm happy to say that quality investigative journalism is alive and well at CNN. Drew Griffin is one of our most outstanding investigative journalists and uncovers ground-breaking stories that we're all proud to run in our shows. From my understanding, the ABC in Australia is still working hard to ensure that great stories are investigated. Clearly, it costs a lot of money to pursue stories and some networks don't think the cost is justified. As journalists, it is our job to get to the truth of every story, and to provide balanced and unbiased journalism. We must never let financial concerns dictate the quality of our investigative journalism and I'm happy to say that CNN sees it as a top priority.

What do you think the future holds for news in the way it is reported and consumed?

The internet will continue to shape the way we all provide news to our viewers. While television is still relevant to older generations, younger people prefer to get their news from their various gadgets. This is why most of our top stories are made available on our digital platform. A lot of our viewers are also watching our shows on their computers or smart phones and I see that as the way of the future. I hope TV survives the changes ahead, but without a crystal ball, I certainly can't project what will happen. I think television will sustain for a number of years to come, but the smartphone will continue to dominate our lives and that's where most people will get their news, selecting stories from various sources, rather than sitting through half an hour of carefully produced news from one source - as most of us used to do. I have to say, I will always enjoy watching a well-produced news show on television, but it's a generational thing.

What is it like to work for one of the most prestigious news organisations in the world? Did you feel as though you'd achieved your dream when you landed the job?

It sounds very clichéd, but I still pinch myself when I realize that I've been working at CNN for 18 years. I have been a journalist for more than 25 years and most of that time has been with CNN. I'm proud to be a part of this great company and to have honed my skills at the best, and most prestigious news organization in the world. I'm proud of what CNN has achieved and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.

You spent some time in Canberra both at UC and as a reporter. Do you have any standout memories of Canberra or the University?

I loved my time in Canberra. I spent about 15 years of my life in the national capital. It's where I went to high school, to university, where I got my first job, and then my first break in radio and in television. I got my first degree at the Australian National University and then, as a graduate, I went to the University of Canberra where I had a fabulous time, studying media and legal studies part-time, while working full-time. It was a wonderful campus with great teachers and students. That's how I got my first job as a speechwriter at Parliament House. It was one of my lecturers at UC that put my name forward for a job at Parliament House, to work with a Member of Parliament. What a lucky break.

What advice would you give any students who would like to follow in your footsteps?

Journalism is undergoing monumental changes as a result of the internet and social media. It's difficult to predict the impact that the internet will have on our industry in the years ahead. My advice to anyone who wants to get into this business is that you have to be pretty thick skinned. You don't get many pats on the back along the way. People on social media will let you know exactly what they think of your reporting on all issues. Some of it will be good; some of it will be bad. You're never going to please everyone, and that's a good thing, because that's when you know you're doing your job. You have to be a self-starter and be willing to assess and critique your own work and take any advice from those willing to give it along the way. Some young people are now choosing to work in a freelance capacity, writing stories for numerous outlets, rather than working for one company. The choice is yours. Being able to promote your own work through social media is also a skill you will need to hone. There will be many rejections along the way, so just keep knocking on that door and eventually you will get the job you want. You will spend a lot of time at work, so make sure it's something that feeds your soul and makes you feel proud of who you are. Good luck, in whatever you choose to do and never give up.

Words by Rosemary Church, photos courtesy of Rosemary Church and CNN.