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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Patrick O’Donovan announced €200,000 in funding for Trinity College Dublin to support the conservation of the personal archive of the late renowned journalist Robert Fisk and his wife, Nelofer Pazira-Fisk.
The archive, which encompasses a wealth of materials from Fisk’s extensive career including notes from interviews with Osama Bin Laden, will be made available to students and researchers.
Following a meeting with Nelofer Pazira-Fisk and Provost Linda Doyle at Trinity Library, Minister O’Donovan said: “This is an exciting day for Trinity College and I am thrilled to announce this funding which will enable the donation of this historic archive to proceed.
“Robert Fisk was a celebrated journalist who spent over 45 years as a leading foreign correspondent for UK and Irish media, notably covering the Middle East from his base in Beirut.
“His incredible career spanned numerous significant events, including conflicts in Iran, the Gulf, Lebanon, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Gaza, as well as the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the Arab Spring in 2011.
“Fisk also received numerous accolades for his work, including the British Press Awards’ International Journalist of the Year seven times and the ‘Reporter of the Year’ award twice.
“The funding announced today will provide Trinity with the necessary resources to undertake an essential two-year conservation project.
“The availability of these materials will undoubtedly enrich the academic experiences of students and researchers alike.”
The archive comprises Fisk’s handwritten notes from his three interviews with Osama Bin Laden, alongside countless notebooks, research notes, photographs, news clippings, audio files, drafts of published works, awards, and correspondence.
Among the remarkable items in the collection are explosive shells, printed photographs, and a strip of oil painting salvaged from a church destroyed by Islamic State.
Nelofer Pazira-Fisk said: “I’m grateful to people in Ireland for their moral stand against oppression and injustices – and to the Irish government for this kind financial support.
“Robert said we must bear witness and record what we see, so no one can say that they didn’t know.
“At a time when a dark curtain of censorship is extending across the Western democracies, when journalism is under attack, reporters face death and targeted assault, false labels and accusations undermine the work of anyone who dares speak out. The preservation and dissemination of information has become more pressing.
“Robert and I often discussed our wish to pass on our archive so the future generations could make use of it with the hope that it’ll foster questioning and debate. And that knowledge of history enables humanity to say no to violence of all kinds.
“Robert had an affinity with Ireland and a great admiration for Trinity College as a place of knowledge. I’m pleased that TCD has agreed to be the custodian of this collection.”
Provost and President of Trinity College, Dr. Linda Doyle, said: “We are honoured that Nelofer Pazira-Fisk has donated this Archive to Trinity.
“It will advance teaching and research into the conflicts covered by Robert Fisk over so many years and will act as a vital resource for researchers, policy makers and the public.
“Today’s announcement will contribute to the Archive’s conservation and accessibility for the future.”
Once catalogued, the archive will be accessible to Trinity students and visiting researchers.
Helen Shenton, College Librarian and Archivist, added: “Robert Fisk was unfaltering in his commitment to frontline journalism and being a witness to history, with one-on-one access to sources – many of whom are no longer alive today.
“The exceptional Archive includes ‘born digital’ content, containing email correspondence, representing a new archival area of the 21st century. The Library of Trinity College will ensure the physical and digital preservation of this Archive and make it accessible in the near future and for posterity.
“It will be available through our Research Collections Study Centre and online through our Virtual Trinity Library programme.”
