Global gets NBC correspondent

Veteran journalist Dawna Friesen will take over for Kevin Newman as
Global National’s new anchor.

Manitoba-born Friesen has worked as a London-based correspondent and anchor for NBC News, Today and MSNBC since 1999, CBC reports.

CBC adds:

“She has covered stories such as the war in Iraq, the struggle in Afghanistan, the abduction and murder of journalist Daniel Pearl and the search for suspects in 2004’s Madrid bombings.

“Newman announced in April that his last night at the helm of Global National will be Aug. 20. He has anchored the Canwest network’s national newscast since it was launched in September 2001.”

In a news conference, Friesen said: “What I bring to the table is breadth of experience. My overseas coverage has extended to Afghanistan, Africa, the Middle East — I bring that international experience to the table and I also have extensive experience covering Canada.”

CBC reports:

“It is the second time this month that a woman has been named as a national news anchor. Lisa LaFlamme got the job at CTV last week and will replace Lloyd Robertson next year.

” “There are only three jobs like this in Canada, and now one of them is mine, it’s a humbling notion,” Friesen said. She takes up the post in September.

” “What is most memorable to me and the reason I got into this business is to give ordinary people a voice — ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances,” she said.”