Acclaimed Journalist Jim O'Connell Dies

Toronto, ON (May 4, 2007) - BNN
- Business News Network staff and colleagues expressed their profound sadness today at the passing of Jim O'Connell, a respected and highly-acclaimed journalist and dear friend.

O'Connell died yesterday after a brief but brave fight with colon cancer. He is survived by his wife Dr. Lisa Ramshaw, son Daniel, 18, and stepson Aaron, 25

He was 48.

"Jim was one of the country's finest and most respected journalists. Above all, he had a special place in his heart for his audience and will be missed by thousands of Canadians who have come to trust and depend on his judgment. For all of us who worked with Jim he was more than a colleague - he was a friend," said Jack Fleischmann, General Manager, BNN-Business News Network.

O'Connell was part of a select group of journalists who helped launch Canada's business channel Report on Business Television (now known as BNN) in 1999. Since then, he went on to assume numerous senior editorial roles including most recently as host of the network's flagship program, Market Call. Prior to joining BNN, O'Connell enjoyed an extensive career in journalism including more than two decades with CTV News reporting out of Ottawa, Winnipeg, Toronto and serving as Bureau Chief in both Washington and London. He also served as Host and Correspondent for CTV's investigative news series W-FIVE.

O'Connell reported on some of the biggest stories of the last quarter-century and was widely recognized for his coverage on topics such as international politics, genocide, natural disasters and race relations.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held Saturday, May 12 at 10:00 a.m. EST at St. Clement’s Anglican Church in Toronto.

* If you have not watched the video tribute to Business News Network's Jim O'Connell, you really should. For one of its excerpts shows how crucial he was to giving a hearing to those who complained about the international gold price suppression scheme. The excerpt is from a "Market Call" program he moderated that examined the scheme and allowed Sprott Asset Management's John Embry to discuss it at length.

O'Connell helped tell Canada, and Canada helped tell the world. He is dearly missed already, but at least he has left us his example: Fearless journalism survived even in the teeth of the money power.

You can find the video tribute to O'Connell at BNN's Internet site HERE