James Hawthorne
Encyclopedia
James Hawthorne was BBC
Controller in Northern Ireland
for 10 years from 1979 to 1989 and as such was the senior editorial figure in the organisation throughout a decade of the Northern Ireland Troubles.
and Queen's University Belfast. He began work in Belfast in 1951 as a maths teacher at Sullivan Upper School
and joined BBC Northern Ireland
as a radio producer in the Schools Department in 1960.
of the BBC in Northern Ireland
after the so-called "Real Lives" controversy when Margaret Thatcher
's cabinet called for a current affairs programme to be pulled from the schedule. Hawthorne's stance in standing up to government pressure, at no small cost to himself, makes him one of the most significant figures in the story of UK broadcasting in the latter half of the twentieth century. His background in education was apparent in his time as Controller of BBC Northern Ireland, where he expanded education and drama, and encouraged local dramatists to create work about Northern Ireland for international audiences. He also introduced Irish language broadcasts, reversing a BBC Dominions Office ban from the 1930s on Gaelic broadcasting in the UK.
.
He died on 7 September 2006 after a short illness. BBC NI Controller Anna Carragher said she was deeply saddened by the death of Dr. Hawthorne who led the BBC in some of the most trying years of The Troubles
. "He had an enormous dedication and commitment to the BBC."
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
Controller in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
for 10 years from 1979 to 1989 and as such was the senior editorial figure in the organisation throughout a decade of the Northern Ireland Troubles.
Early life and education
Hawthorne, one of identical twins, was educated in Belfast, at the Methodist College BelfastMethodist College Belfast
Methodist College Belfast , styled locally as Methody, is a voluntary grammar school in Belfast, Northern Ireland, one of eight Northern Irish schools represented on the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, and is a member of the Independent Schools Council...
and Queen's University Belfast. He began work in Belfast in 1951 as a maths teacher at Sullivan Upper School
Sullivan Upper School
Sullivan Upper AddressBelfast RoadHolywoodBT18 9EP Phone 9042 8780 from abroadFax 9042 7644HeadteacherMr C J W Peel, M.A., B.Sc., Dip.A.S.Ed.Vice Principals*Mr. I. Ballantine, B.Sc., M.Ed., P.G.C.E....
and joined BBC Northern Ireland
BBC Northern Ireland
BBC Northern Ireland is the main public service broadcaster in Northern Ireland.The organisation is one of the three national regions of the BBC, together with BBC Scotland and BBC Wales. Based at Broadcasting House, Belfast, it provides television, radio, online and interactive television content...
as a radio producer in the Schools Department in 1960.
Work with the BBC
He was deeply involved in the fight to preserve the editorial independenceEditorial independence
Editorial independence is the freedom of editors to make decisions without interference from the owners of a publication. Editorial independence is tested, for instance, if a newspaper runs articles that may be unpopular with its advertising clientele....
of the BBC in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
after the so-called "Real Lives" controversy when Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
's cabinet called for a current affairs programme to be pulled from the schedule. Hawthorne's stance in standing up to government pressure, at no small cost to himself, makes him one of the most significant figures in the story of UK broadcasting in the latter half of the twentieth century. His background in education was apparent in his time as Controller of BBC Northern Ireland, where he expanded education and drama, and encouraged local dramatists to create work about Northern Ireland for international audiences. He also introduced Irish language broadcasts, reversing a BBC Dominions Office ban from the 1930s on Gaelic broadcasting in the UK.
Retirement and death
After his retirement he remained in Northern Ireland where he held the chair of the Community Relations Council, Health Promotion Agency, Prison Arts Foundation and instigator and mainstay of the Ulster History CircleUlster History Circle
The Ulster History Circle is one of a number of heritage organisations that administers Blue Plaques in Northern Ireland. It is a voluntary, not for profit organisation, placing commemorative plaques in public places in honour of people and locations that have contributed to all genres of history...
.
He died on 7 September 2006 after a short illness. BBC NI Controller Anna Carragher said she was deeply saddened by the death of Dr. Hawthorne who led the BBC in some of the most trying years of The Troubles
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
. "He had an enormous dedication and commitment to the BBC."