BBC journalist Clive Myrie awarded honorary doctorate 

Multi-award winning journalist Clive Myrie has been awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contribution to journalism.

Bolton-born Myrie was presented the award at Edge Hill University in Liverpool where he was made an honorary Doctor of Arts.

Addressing the audience at the ceremony, Myrie said: “If you find the job you love, you’ll never work again.”

Over his impressive 30 year career in journalism, he has reported on stories from nearly 100 countries across the world, covering some of the most important stories of our time, including every US presidential election since 1996.

Born to Windrush generation parents who moved to the UK from Jamaica, Myrie developed a passion for news as a young boy taking on a paper round, where he would read the news in print from cover to cover. 

Myrie’s journalism career began after he graduated from the University of Sussex with a law degree, joining the BBC’s journalism training scheme.

He started out in Broadcast on a local radio station in Bristol before moving to the television newsroom in London and then becoming a foreign correspondent.

Myrie was named an honorary Doctorate of Arts for his resilience and perseverance in bringing the major news of our time to our television screens, said a spokesperson at the ceremony.

The ceremony also paid recognition to his Myrie being a vocal proponent of the importance of representation on screen, in terms of race and social class.

Myrie thanked the University for the honour and reflected on the hard work and achievements of his fellow graduates saying he was surrounded by ‘champions and winners’.

He added: “Hard work is undoubtedly the key to all success and it’s what got you all here today.

“It’s said that if you find the job you love, you’ll never work again. That’s what I fervently hope your degrees from this wonderful university will mean for you. In everything you do from this day forward, push yourself to be the best version you can be.”

Clive’s experiences in his career and personal life are the subject of his new memoir, ‘Everything is Everything’, to be published in September 2023.

In this deeply personal memoir, he reflects on how his own background has affected his perspective on the myriad of issues he’s encountered in reporting some of the biggest stories of our time.

Clive’s empathy for the individual caught up in large historical events is widely recognised.

He tells how his family history has influenced his view of the world, introducing us to his Windrush generation parents, a great grandfather who helped build the Panama Canal, and a great uncle who fought in the First World War, after being a prominent police detective in Jamaica.