CNN Accepts Award from John Kerry, State Dept. for Reports on Sex Trafficking
RUSH TRANSCRIPT:
BLITZER: “Welcome back to our viewers in the United States and around the world. Earlier today, CNN received a really special honor. The U.S. Secretary of state recognized CNN for its critically important work shining its light on international human trafficking.”
[clip starts]
KERRY: “Closer to home from the United States, Mr. Tony Maddox. Mr. Maddox, we congratulate you for your sustained campaign to raise public awareness and understanding of human trafficking on a global scale. Your advocacy on behalf of victims and dedication to ensuring that survivors.”
[clip ends]
BLITZER: “Tony Maddox, our CNN managing director is joining us now. He spearheaded our freedom project. He's joining us from the state Department. Congratulations to you and all of our CNN team that began this froj equity five years ago. For those around the world who are not familiar with what we are trying to do, give us a brief update.
MADDOX: “We decided that we could use resources to highlight levels of slavery and human trafficking. Just like five years ago, I don't think this story was as mainstream as it is now. To shine the light on the stories, distribute to over 250 countries around the world, take into account our websites and the audiences that we have, the domestic audiences that we have and we realize that if we were to tap into the great work that was being done, we could really make a difference. We just put the word out to staff and talk about the freedom project. I expect about 30 people to come to the first meeting. We had around 100. The next one had over 200. It's absolutely remarkable, the extent that people have taken this on board. You and I have worked on CNN for a long time, Wolf. It's important to some people and not so much to others. But not this one. They have experienced nothing but goodwill and support and that's a key reason why we have the recognition for CNN that we've got today. It's very humbling and we're also very proud.”
