Veteran reporter and broadcaster Eamonn Mallie has received an honorary doctorate from Ulster University for his “significant contribution to the field of journalism”.
Mr Mallie received the honour at the university’s Coleraine campus on Friday.
He is the latest famous face to be honoured by the university this week, alongside comedian and Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty and former Irish President Mary Robinson.
Mr Mallie said he was “really shocked and surprised” upon learning he was to receive the honorary doctorate.
“The profession of journalism is addictive,” he said, before describing some memorable period of his almost 50-year career.
“I was addicted to journalism which meant I was away from home for such long periods at a time, when the Ballykelly bomb happened, I was out the door and wasn’t home for 17 hours,” he said.
“I went to the White House when Clinton was there each year, the fun factor with Clinton was quite remarkable he was so unpredictable, very entertaining, and incredibly bright. I also travelled to Gibraltar, Ethiopia, and Syria covering stories. Overall my advice to young journalists is don’t let the job own you.”
