Faith
Sir Mark Tully Remembered for Courage and Integrity
Faith Facts
- Sir Mark Tully shaped journalism’s integrity while serving as BBC’s chief correspondent in South Asia for over three decades.
- Tully’s reporting set a standard for truth, especially during moments of crisis such as the Bangladesh Liberation War and India’s Emergency period.
- He built deep connections with the people of India, living out his calling through humility, perseverance, and respect for all backgrounds.
Sir William Mark Tully passed away on January 25, 2026, in New Delhi at age 90, after touching countless lives through his dedication and faith-driven work in journalism.
He guided BBC’s India coverage through storms of political and social change, staying grounded in conviction and truth-telling, even in perilous situations.
“The profession was religion to him,” recalled fellow journalist Satish Jacob, describing Tully’s unwavering commitment to honesty and moral purpose.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Saddened by the passing of Sir Mark Tully, a towering voice of journalism. His connect with India and the people of our nation was reflected in his works. His reporting and insights have left an enduring mark on public discourse.”
Raised in India and later schooled in England, Tully sought spiritual grounding from a young age and studied theology at Cambridge with hopes of priesthood before being called to news reporting.
In decades of covering India, he demonstrated the importance of perseverance, cross-cultural respect, and honoring the dignity of every soul, in line with Christian values.
Through war, political upheaval, and danger, he placed concern for people above personal safety, serving as a model for truth-seekers everywhere.
His humility and compassion were expressed in his simple lifestyle, fluency in local languages, and relationships with neighbors and colleagues.
Let us honor Sir Mark Tully’s remarkable legacy by striving for truth, integrity, and love of neighbor in our own lives, echoing the virtues we are called to as people of faith and freedom.