After nearly four decades of reporting from some of the world’s most turbulent frontlines, award-winning journalist Fergal Keane is stepping down from his role at the BBC. The news, confirmed on February 13, 2026, marks the end of an era for the broadcaster and for international journalism more broadly. Keane, 65, is leaving the BBC with what he describes as "immense gratitude"—but also with a sense of unfinished business, as he pivots to new creative projects and a continued defense of independent journalism.
Born in London in 1961 to Irish parents, Keane’s early life was shaped by a deep connection to Ireland. He spent his childhood in Dublin and Cork, attending Presentation Brothers College in Cork. His father, Eamon Keane, was a noted actor from Listowel, while his mother, Maura Hassett, worked as both an actress and a teacher. The family’s artistic pedigree runs deep: Keane is also the nephew of celebrated playwright John B Keane, whose work left an indelible mark on Irish literature, according to The Irish Times.
Keane’s journey into journalism began humbly at the Limerick Leader in 1979. He soon moved to The Irish Press and then to RTÉ, where he found himself reporting from Belfast during some of the most violent years of the Troubles. Reflecting on those early years, Keane has often spoken of the importance of bearing witness, even when the odds seemed overwhelming. "I have always stuck to my own simple view: keep telling the story for the sake of your audience, because your ultimate boss isn’t the director general or head of news, it’s the man or woman in Truro or Cardiff or Glasgow or Belfast who is forking out for the licence fee," he told The Irish Times.
In 1989, Keane joined the BBC as its Northern Ireland correspondent. Just a year later, he was posted to South Africa, where his reporting coincided with the end of apartheid and the historic, peaceful election that brought Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress to power. According to NationalWorld, Keane’s coverage of South Africa’s transition to democracy was widely praised for its nuance and humanity.
But it was his work in Rwanda that would define his career. In 1994, Keane reported from the heart of the Rwandan genocide, bearing witness to atrocities that would scar him deeply. His documentary, Valentina’s Story, earned him a BAFTA in 1997 and international acclaim. The impact of those events never left him, as he later reflected in his bestselling book Letter to Daniel, which combined intimate reflections on fatherhood with the horrors and hopes he encountered on the front lines. As The Irish Times noted, the book became a touchstone for readers seeking to understand the emotional toll of conflict reporting.
Keane’s assignments took him across the globe. Between 1994 and 1996, he served as the BBC’s Asia correspondent, based in Hong Kong during the pivotal handover from the UK to China—a moment that ended more than a century and a half of British rule. More recently, he reported from Ukraine and Gaza, bringing the same empathy and clarity to stories that continue to shape world affairs, as reported by DonegalLive.ie.
Throughout his career, Keane has been recognized with numerous awards, including an Emmy and the George Orwell Prize, in addition to his BAFTA. In 1996, he was awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to journalism. He also served as an Adjunct Professor of Journalism at the University of Limerick, mentoring the next generation of reporters.
Yet, for all his accolades, Keane has remained steadfast in his belief that journalism is more than just a profession—it is a public trust. In his parting remarks to The Irish Times, he sounded a warning about the threats facing free and independent journalism today. "We live in the age of deification of super wealth, the rise of a class of oligarchs who see the media they own as a corporate tool whose influence is to be traded for political favours. This is the great fight we must engage in," he said. He added, "There never was a golden age of journalism. The cynics, chancers, propagandists, liars were always among us—but they have been supercharged by social media. What gives me hope is the number of idealistic and informed young journalists I meet in the BBC and elsewhere."
Keane’s decision to leave the BBC was, he said, a matter of timing and personal choice. "To go when I still have the drive and curiosity for fresh challenges was always my plan," he told NationalWorld. "This is a move to a new life and I could not be happier." He has just signed a contract for his first novel and is also working on a new non-fiction book. In addition, he plans to produce long-form film and audio content, maintaining his association with the BBC in a different capacity.
One of his ongoing missions, Keane insists, will be to advocate for the BBC’s independence. "One of my most important tasks after leaving the BBC will be to fight to protect the corporation’s independence from the attacks of bad actors and cynics. The future funding of the BBC is a job for the senior management and government to negotiate. But for the journalists and those who manage them, confidence, courage and the reinforcing of a constant moral compass are the essential elements of keeping and building public trust," he told The Irish Times.
Richard Burgess, the BBC’s director of news content, summed up the feelings of many colleagues and viewers alike: "Fergal’s career has been defined by the quality of his journalism and storytelling, as well as the humanity and empathy which has imbued all his reporting. Beyond his professional achievements, Fergal is clever, kind and generous, as well as thoughtful and witty. We will miss him as a valued colleague."
Keane’s departure comes at a time when journalism faces unprecedented challenges, from financial pressures to the corrosive effects of disinformation and social media abuse. Yet, as he steps away from the daily news cycle, Keane’s legacy—rooted in empathy, courage, and a relentless commitment to the truth—remains a guiding light for those who follow in his footsteps. His next chapter promises new stories, new mediums, and, undoubtedly, the same unwavering moral compass that has defined his remarkable career.