Chen worked at CNN from 1991 to 2001 for CNN International and for the network's domestic operations. She covered the U.S. military operations in Somalia and Bosnia, anchored the coverage of the Columbine High School shootings, the trial of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh, and won an Emmy award for her anchor work covering the bombing at Centennial Olympic Park during the 1996 Atlanta Games. In 1996, Chen received the CableACE Award for Best Newscaster, along with Leon Harris, her co-anchor on "The World Today" . Chen created and anchored the network's first effort to include its online audience in its broadcasting, CNN NewsSite with Joie Chen.