Although she is a journalist with over 10 years experience, and a high profile on Australian Television, Anna Coren’s first days at the CNN newsroom in Hong Kong saw her putting on her L plates.
Leaving her anchor chair at Channel Seven’s Today Tonight several weeks ago, Coren’s departure wasn’t without controversy. While she said she had chosen to depart from the job, there were suggestions that she was pushed to leave early by her bosses.
But punted or not, Coren took the plunge, and headed over to the city of shopping for her debut on the Hong Kong news network – although fans may be disappointed, she is not on air yet.
"I'll be shadowing and observing for a while and honestly I don't know when I'll be on air or if, in fact, I'll be on camera before Christmas," she told News Limited. "I hope so.”
"The bosses here have decided they aren't going to throw me in. CNN has a policy to that effect. They are big on having you well and truly versed in the CNN ways before you start."
Coren has auditioned for the role while still hosting Today Tonight, and she says that this was a contributing factor to her departure. But despite the shaky ending, Coren said that it was an amicable decision.
"I know that I embarrassed (Seven boss) David Leckie and (news boss) Peter Meakin," she said.
"That was not my intention. I had already indicated to them that I was not interested in re-signing my Seven contract and was looking around at other opportunities. But I got caught out.
"Hours after I'd conducted my interview for CNN in Atlanta, Seven in Sydney was on the phone. They'd heard about it. I'd rather not say what was said to me at the time, but Peter Meakin and I have never had a problem."
However, although Coren suggests everything was hunky dory, her early departure suggested otherwise.
Setting up in her new home, Coren has sorted out an apartment with the help of her sister Tonya – and has experienced her “orientation day” at CNN, being shown the many ropes of one of the biggest news organizations in the world.