Errol Barnett

Errol Barnett is an anchor and correspondent for CNN International.

Since January 2012, he has hosted the award-winning Inside Africa. With Barnett at the helm, the show now travels to every corner of the continent to experience local challenges, meet outstanding people and explore what makes each place unique. As a general assignment correspondent based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Barnett also contributes to CNN’s emerging markets show Global Exchange as well as African Voices and CNN Marketplace Africa.

Before and during the Arab Spring, Barnett solo-anchored CNN International's Middle East based news program, Prism from CNN Abu Dhabi. This was the first CNN program to detail unrest in Tunisia before it sparked a revolution there and similar uprisings in Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain and Syria. Barnett also anchored major breaking news events like the aftermath of Japan's devastating earthquake and Tsunami, the rescue of the Chilean Miners as well as global reaction to the death of Osama Bin Laden.

Since joining the network in 2008, Barnett has been integral in incorporating social media into CNN’s breaking news coverage of events including the aftermath of the Iran elections; terrorist bombings in Jakarta; devastating earthquake in L’Aquila; deadly Turkish plane crash near Amsterdam; and the offensive between Israel and Gaza in early 2009.

Beyond his role as anchor/correspondent Errol has moderated numerous forums; for the International Press Institute on the rise of social media; for the World Future Energy summit on the struggle for alternative power sources and the Abu Dhabi Media Summit on blending old media with new.

Recognized as a “Power 30 Under 30” by Atlanta’s Apex society, Barnett has covered a wide range of topics impacting young people, as well as the development of anti-piracy legislation in France and Britain; global reaction to U.S. President Barack Obama winning the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize and the presidential elections in Israel, Afghanistan and South Africa.

Barnett’s career in journalism started in 2001 at just 18 years of age when Channel One News made him their youngest anchor/reporter for the in-school program. In his five years with Channel One, Barnett reported on many stories throughout the United States, including the 2004 Democratic National Convention; the attacks on September 11, 2001; Hurricanes Ivan and Lily; President Bush’s second inauguration; and wildfires in California. Other notable stories covered include in-depth multi-part coverage of teenage heroin use in the New England suburbs; credit card debt issues for young people; and violence in schools.

Barnett has also worked for ReelzChannel, serving as a correspondent and host. Based in Los Angeles, Barnett interviewed several U.S. celebrities including Forest Whitaker, Russell Crowe, Lucy Liu and Christian Bale as well as covering film festivals and movie premieres.

Born in Milton Keynes, England, Barnett is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science with a focus on international relations from University of California, Los Angeles in 2008.