BBC
Special Correspondent & Author
Fergal Keane's relaxed Irish brogue, lyrical and
humane style of delivery has made Fergal one of
the BBC's best-known international correspondents
and a highly entertaining and accomplished public
speaker, event chair and after dinner speaker.
Fergal was born in London in 1961 but was brought
up and educated in Ireland. He began his career
in journalism in 1979 as a reporter on the Limerick
Leader and Chronicle, before moving to the national
daily newspaper, The Irish Press.
His first taste of broadcasting was with Radio
and Television Eire, where he was a reporter/presenter
from 1984 to 1987, later reporting from Belfast
for the station. Fergal joined the BBC in 1989
as Northern Ireland Correspondent.
In August 1990, he was appointed Southern Africa
Correspondent, after having covered the regions
during the early 1980's. It is probably with this
region that he is most strongly associated. Fergals
reports covered the township unrest in South Africa,
Mandela's increasing popularity and the first
multi-racial elections following the end of apartheid.
During this time he travelled the length and breadth
of the country from the white farms of the Northern
Transvaal to the vast townships of the Witwatersand.
From this experience he wrote a book "The
Bondage of Fear" (Penguin Books, 1995) primarily
about the experience of ordinary South Africans
as history propelled them towards a new uncharted
country.
Other books by Fergal include Books: "There
Will Be Sunlight Later - A Memoir Of War"
- Harper Collins (to be published Autumn 2004);
"A Strangers Eye" - Penguin Books, 2000;
"Letters Home" - Penguin Books, 1999;
"Letter To Daniel" - Penguin / BBC,
1997 and "Season Of Blood" - Penguin
Books, 1996.
As Southern Africa correspondent he also covered
the civil war in Rwanda."I had seen war before,
I had seen the face of cruelty, but Rwanda belonged
in a nightmare zone where my capacity to understand,
much less rationalise, was overwhelmed".
In 1995, Fergal became the BBC's Asia correspondent,
covering all the main stories in the region; from
the Tokyo gas attacks in January of that year
until the handover of Hong Kong from British to
Chinese rule on July 1st 1997.
Fergal is a weekly columnist with the Independent
newspaper and a columnist with 'Traveller' magazine.
He also writes occasionally for the Spectator.
Fergal Keane has won numerous awards for his radio
and television reports including: an OBE for work
in Africa (1996); Royal Television Society Journalist
of the Year; BAFTA; Sony Radio Reporter of the
Year; Voice of the Viewer and Listener Award;
George Orwell Prize; Bayeaux Prize for War Correspondents;
Edward R Murrow Award for War Reporting; Human
Rights Journalist of the year, Amnesty International;
One World Media Award; Index on Censorship Award
for Outstanding Commitment to Journalistic Integrity.
Honorary Doctor of Letters, Strathclyde University;
Honorary Doctor of Letters, Staffordshire University.
Fergal belongs to a well-known Irish literary
and theatrical family and his hobbies include
theatre, poetry and traditional Irish music which
he plays.
For Fergal Keane products and further information please visit:
Fergal Keane books and related products
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