I have made my living bearing witness to some of the most horrific events of the end of our century, at the end of the 20th century.

We were thrilled and we were privileged to be part of a revolution, because make no mistake about it, Ted Turner changed the world with CNN.

But 17 years ago, I arrived at CNN with a suitcase, with my bicycle, and with about 100 dollars.

My view is that when lies become mixed up with the truth, it's a very dangerous world.

Because if we the storytellers don't do this, then the bad people will win.

If we have no respect for our viewers, then how can we have any respect for ourselves and what we do?

In emerging democracies like Russia, in authoritarian states like Iran or even Yugoslavia, journalists play a vital role in civil society. In fact, they form the very basis of those new democracies and civil societies.