CNN newsman understanding of sources of information

Following his mother's advice after graduating from Yale University in 1989, Anderson Cooper "followed his bliss."

Cooper, an anchor for CNN, addressed a crowd of more than 300 at Rowland Hall St. Mark's School Saturday. As part of the McCarthey Family Lecture Series in Praise of Independent Journalism, Cooper recounted his own entry into the field and the insights he has gained as an award-winning journalist.

In an information age where anyone at home can start a blog that could have millions of readers, information can take on a life of its own, Cooper said. Because of this, he said, now more than ever before it is pivotal that people understand where their information comes from and who is shaping it.

"It is only by seeing a situation from as many angels as possible that you can possibly understand a story," Cooper said.

cnorlen@desnews.com