Editor who 'faced down enemies of journalism' dies aged 76
Tributes to journalist whose career spanned 50 years
Jim McDowell, pictured, was Northern Ireland editor of Sunday World for 25 years before his retirement in 2015.
During his career, which began at Belfast title the News Letter, he was subjected to threats from paramilitary groups and criminal gangs, not least those engaged in profit from drugs.
Paying tribute, NUJ assistant general secretart Seamus Dooley described him as "a defiant editor who faced down enemies of journalism."
Said Seamus: "Jim McDowell was one of the most formidable journalists of his generation: stubborn, tenacious and brave.
"He has been desecribed as larger than life, a euphemism frequently deployed to describe a personality who is difficult to capture in a neat, tabloid headline. No phrase could adequately sum up Big Jim, a nickname he rejoiced in."
Jim was editor at the time of the murder of Sunday World journalist Martin O'Hagan by loyalist paramilitaries in September 2001.
Recalled Seamus: "Over the next few days I witnessed the pain of loss felt by Martin's colleagues and their resilience in publishing that weekend's paper featuring the murder of one of the most courageous journalists ever to grace our profession.
"And I witnessed the defiant spirit of Jim McDowell. He was also a tower of strength to Marie and to Martin's three daughters, not just in the difficult days after Martin' murder but throughout his tenure as editor and in his retirement.
"Jim never tired of demanding that those who murdered Martin should be brought to justice but it would not do him justice to remember Jim only for his commitment to that vitally important, ongoing campaign."
"Throughout the Troubles and beyond, McDowell was forced to face down those who sought to silence journalists and journalism, and was himself the target of a physical attack while walking though Belfast city centre - in the grounds of City Hall.
"Jim stood up to those who sought to silence the Sunday World, including politicians, lawyers and the police but above all those who hid behind political ideologies to justify criminal behaviour.
Jim leaves wife Lindy, daughter Faye and sons Jamie and Micah.
His funeral will take place on Saturday May, 2, at St George's Church of Ireland in Belfast.
