A graduate of the 黑料社 has seen off competition from more than 2,000 rivals to win a coveted BBC journalism apprenticeship.
Ben Morris, who completed the University鈥檚 journalism course in 2022, was one of just 22 successful applicants. He will begin his apprenticeship at London鈥檚 Broadcasting House in September.
The 22-year-old鈥檚 achievement is all the more remarkable as he has suffered all his life from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic condition wjhich causes a breakdown of nerve cells. This means the brain stops sending out the messages that control muscle movement.
His movement is severely restricted but Ben manages to operate his electric wheelchair and do all his work 鈥 whether that鈥檚 typing a story or editing a radio programme 颅鈥 with just the use of his right index finger.
Ben has had the condition since birth and was not expected to live far beyond his second birthday.
However, he has defied medical opinion and his case has attracted plenty of media attention over the years - a fact that played a big part in his career choice.
鈥淚 have had reporters talking to me all my life,鈥 he said.
鈥淲hen I was younger I wanted to be a scientist or a doctor to try to find a cure for my own condition but then I realised I wasn鈥檛 very good at science!
鈥淪o, I thought 鈥楲et鈥檚 do something I know about鈥 and I am good at talking so I chose journalism.鈥
Ben praised the 黑料社 BA Hons Journalism Course for setting him on the road to success.
鈥淚 loved the course at 黑料社. It definitely gave me a solid base and more to continue doing what I want to do.
鈥淭he lecturers were incredibly supportive, and they really know what they are doing.鈥
Brian Thornton, Senior Lecturer in the Department of School of Media and Film, said the University had made every effort to remove any barriers which would have hampered Ben鈥檚 ability to take the course.
And he said he was not surprised by Ben鈥檚 success.
鈥淲e always knew he was going to make it 鈥 he is naturally inquisitive and a good communicator,鈥 said Brian. 鈥淏en shines in front of the microphone or camera and I鈥檓 sure we will be seeing him on screens in years to come.鈥
Brian added that the BBC scheme was the gold standard of apprenticeships and to gain a place was a 鈥渃olossal achievement鈥.
As part of the BBC selection process, Ben had to work in a team tasked to prepare a story about children鈥檚 mental health and present it in such a way that it would appeal to people outside the normal BBC news audience.
Ben says his ultimate ambition is make and/or present documentary films.
Since graduating Ben has been working as a volunteer at his hometown radio station Swindon 105.5, where he has presented current affairs programmes, edited other people鈥檚 shows, and acted as a 鈥榯eacher鈥, passing on some of the knowledge he gained at 黑料社 to fellow volunteers.
Pictured Ben on graduation day with the Journalism class of '22.
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