Jump to content

Chris Mason (journalist): Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit
 
(19 intermediate revisions by 17 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2020}}
{{Short description|British journalist and political editor}}
{{Short description|British journalist and BBC News Political Editor}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Chris Mason
| name = Chris Mason
| image = Chris Mason in 2023 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Mason in 2023
| birth_name = Christopher Richard Mason
| birth_name = Christopher Richard Mason
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1980|4|21}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1980|4|21}}
| birth_place = [[Steeton with Eastburn]], [[West Yorkshire]], England
| birth_place = [[Steeton with Eastburn]], [[West Yorkshire]], [[England]]
| education = [[Ermysted's Grammar School]]
| education = [[Ermysted's Grammar School]]
| alma_mater = [[Christ's College, Cambridge]]<br />[[City, University of London]]
| alma_mater = [[Christ's College, Cambridge]]<br />[[City, University of London]]
Line 12: Line 14:
| children = 2
| children = 2
| notable_works = ''[[Newscast (podcast)|Newscast]]''<br />''[[Any Questions?]]''
| notable_works = ''[[Newscast (podcast)|Newscast]]''<br />''[[Any Questions?]]''
| title = Political editor of [[BBC News]] (2022–present)
| title = [[Political Editor]] of [[BBC News]] (2022–present)
}}
}}


'''Christopher Richard Mason''' (born 21 April 1980) is an English journalist, who has been the [[political editor]] of [[BBC News]] since 2022. He is also a presenter of the podcast and television programme ''[[Newscast (podcast)|Newscast]]'' (formerly ''[[Brexitcast]]''). He was formerly the BBC's political correspondent.
'''Christopher Richard Mason''' (born 21 April 1980) is an English journalist who has been the [[Political Editor]] of [[BBC News]] since 2022, having been the corporation's political correspondent. He filled the vacant [[Political Editor]] position previously held by [[Laura Kuenssberg]]. He is also a presenter of the podcast and television programme ''[[Newscast (podcast)|Newscast]]'' (formerly ''[[Brexitcast]]'').


==Early life and career==
==Early life and career==
Line 23: Line 25:
In 2002, Mason moved to [[BBC Newcastle]], where he befriended future broadcaster [[Rob Young (broadcaster)|Rob Young]],<ref name="Ask the Geographer"/><ref name="About the BBC"/> and then to the BBC regional desk at [[Westminster]].<ref name="Yorkshire Post"/><ref name="TV Newsroom"/> His first report from Westminster was in 2004.<ref name="About the BBC"/> For two years, Mason reported for [[BBC News]] as a Europe correspondent,<ref name="Yorkshire Post"/><ref name="TV Newsroom"/> followed by a short stint as a political reporter on [[BBC Radio 5 Live]].<ref name="TV Newsroom"/> He then became a political correspondent for [[BBC News]] in 2012.<ref name="Yorkshire Post"/><ref name="TV Newsroom"/>
In 2002, Mason moved to [[BBC Newcastle]], where he befriended future broadcaster [[Rob Young (broadcaster)|Rob Young]],<ref name="Ask the Geographer"/><ref name="About the BBC"/> and then to the BBC regional desk at [[Westminster]].<ref name="Yorkshire Post"/><ref name="TV Newsroom"/> His first report from Westminster was in 2004.<ref name="About the BBC"/> For two years, Mason reported for [[BBC News]] as a Europe correspondent,<ref name="Yorkshire Post"/><ref name="TV Newsroom"/> followed by a short stint as a political reporter on [[BBC Radio 5 Live]].<ref name="TV Newsroom"/> He then became a political correspondent for [[BBC News]] in 2012.<ref name="Yorkshire Post"/><ref name="TV Newsroom"/>


''[[The Yorkshire Post]]'' has described Mason's broadcasting style as relatively "informal", and said that that has attracted attention in his television appearances as an occasional host of ''[[BBC Breakfast]]'' and a political correspondent.<ref name="Yorkshire Post"/> In February 2016, Mason broadcast from outside [[10 Downing Street]] as he unsuccessfully attempted to engage ministers arriving for the cabinet meeting called to discuss [[David Cameron]]'s [[2015–16 United Kingdom renegotiation of European Union membership|renegotiation of the UK's European Union membership]].<ref name="Parisien"/> Whilst live on ''BBC Breakfast'' in November 2018, he asked "So where are we in all of this Brexit process? To be quite honest, looking at things right now, I haven't got the foggiest idea what is going to happen in the coming weeks. Is the Prime Minister going to get a deal with the EU? Dunno! Is she going to be able to get it through the Commons? Don't know about that, either. I think you might as well get [[Mr Blobby]] back on to offer his analysis, because, frankly, I suspect his is now as good as mine." Mason was praised for his honesty after his comments were shared on social media<ref name="Yorkshire Post"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2018/11/14/bbc-reporter-replaced-his-brexit-analysis-with-exasperated-noises-now-hes-hero/?noredirect=on|title=A BBC reporter replaced his Brexit analysis with exasperated noises, and now he's a hero|last=Selk|first=Avi|date=14 November 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|url-status=live|access-date=18 October 2019}}</ref><ref name="Morris">{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=James |title=BBC reporter Chris Mason hailed for refreshing Brexit analysis: 'I haven't got the foggiest idea... ask Mr Blobby' |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/bbc-reporters-hailed-from-refreshing-brexit-analysis-i-havent-got-the-foggiest-idea-ask-mr-blobby-a3988821.html |accessdate=29 September 2019 |work=Evening Standard |date=13 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=A BBC journalist has perfectly summed up how many people feel about Brexit |url=https://www.irishnews.com/magazine/daily/2018/11/14/news/a-bbc-journalist-has-perfectly-summed-up-how-many-people-feel-about-brexit-1484769/ |accessdate=29 September 2019 |work=The Irish News |date=14 November 2018}}</ref> and translated into French in newspaper ''[[Le Parisien]]''.<ref name="Parisien">{{cite news |last1=A.R. |title=Crise du Brexit : un journaliste de la BBC admet en plein direct ne plus rien comprendre |url=http://www.leparisien.fr/international/crise-du-brexit-un-journaliste-de-la-bbc-admet-en-plein-direct-ne-plus-rien-comprendre-15-11-2018-7943826.php |accessdate=29 September 2019 |work=Le Parisien |date=15 November 2018 |location=Paris, France}}</ref>
''[[The Yorkshire Post]]'' has described Mason's broadcasting style as relatively "informal", and said that that has attracted attention in his television appearances as an occasional host of ''[[BBC Breakfast]]'' and a political correspondent.<ref name="Yorkshire Post"/> In February 2016, Mason broadcast from outside [[10 Downing Street]] as he unsuccessfully attempted to engage ministers arriving for the cabinet meeting called to discuss [[David Cameron]]'s [[2015–16 United Kingdom renegotiation of European Union membership|renegotiation of the UK's European Union membership]].<ref name="Parisien"/> Whilst live on ''BBC Breakfast'' in November 2018, he asked "So where are we in all of this Brexit process? To be quite honest, looking at things right now, I haven't got the foggiest idea what is going to happen in the coming weeks. Is the Prime Minister going to get a deal with the EU? Dunno! Is she going to be able to get it through the Commons? Don't know about that, either. I think you might as well get [[Mr Blobby]] back on to offer his analysis, because, frankly, I suspect his is now as good as mine." Mason was praised for his honesty after his comments were shared on social media<ref name="Yorkshire Post"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2018/11/14/bbc-reporter-replaced-his-brexit-analysis-with-exasperated-noises-now-hes-hero/?noredirect=on|title=A BBC reporter replaced his Brexit analysis with exasperated noises, and now he's a hero|last=Selk|first=Avi|date=14 November 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=18 October 2019}}</ref><ref name="Morris">{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=James |title=BBC reporter Chris Mason hailed for refreshing Brexit analysis: 'I haven't got the foggiest idea... ask Mr Blobby' |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/bbc-reporters-hailed-from-refreshing-brexit-analysis-i-havent-got-the-foggiest-idea-ask-mr-blobby-a3988821.html |accessdate=29 September 2019 |work=Evening Standard |date=13 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=A BBC journalist has perfectly summed up how many people feel about Brexit |url=https://www.irishnews.com/magazine/daily/2018/11/14/news/a-bbc-journalist-has-perfectly-summed-up-how-many-people-feel-about-brexit-1484769/ |accessdate=29 September 2019 |work=The Irish News |date=14 November 2018}}</ref> and translated into French in newspaper ''[[Le Parisien]]''.<ref name="Parisien">{{cite news |last1=A.R. |title=Crise du Brexit : un journaliste de la BBC admet en plein direct ne plus rien comprendre |url=http://www.leparisien.fr/international/crise-du-brexit-un-journaliste-de-la-bbc-admet-en-plein-direct-ne-plus-rien-comprendre-15-11-2018-7943826.php |accessdate=29 September 2019 |work=Le Parisien |date=15 November 2018 |location=Paris, France}}</ref>


In December 2018 he unveiled a [[blue plaque]] honouring the Yorkshire-born journalist [[W. R. Mitchell]] (1928–2015).<ref name="Yorkshire Post"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/bbcs-chris-mason-unveils-blue-plaque-for-incredible-yorkshire-journalist-w-r-mitchell/|title=BBC's Chris Mason unveils blue plaque for 'incredible' Yorkshire journalist W. R. Mitchell|last=Tobitt|first=Charlotte|date=17 December 2018|website=Press Gazette|access-date=7 September 2019}}</ref> A study of "the Twitter output of 10 seasoned UK political correspondents" found that Mason was a "prolific" tweeter,<ref name="Jukes">{{cite journal |last1=Jukes |first1=Stephen |title=Crossing the Line between News and the Business of News: Exploring Journalists' Use of Twitter |journal=Media and Communication |year=2019 |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=248–258 |doi=10.17645/mac.v7i1.1772 |url=http://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/31885/1/Final%20proof.pdf |accessdate=29 September 2019 | issn=2183-2439|doi-access=free }}</ref> and had 66,000 followers between month 1 September and 3 October 2018.<ref name="Jukes"/> Mason tweeted about a "diverse and humorous range of interests beyond the political scene", including his native Yorkshire and [[goldfish]] named after other journalists.<ref name="Jukes"/>
In December 2018 he unveiled a [[blue plaque]] honouring the Yorkshire-born journalist [[W. R. Mitchell]] (1928–2015).<ref name="Yorkshire Post"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/bbcs-chris-mason-unveils-blue-plaque-for-incredible-yorkshire-journalist-w-r-mitchell/|title=BBC's Chris Mason unveils blue plaque for 'incredible' Yorkshire journalist W. R. Mitchell|last=Tobitt|first=Charlotte|date=17 December 2018|website=Press Gazette|access-date=7 September 2019}}</ref> A study of "the Twitter output of 10 seasoned UK political correspondents" found, that Mason was a "prolific" tweeter,<ref name="Jukes">{{cite journal |last1=Jukes |first1=Stephen |title=Crossing the Line between News and the Business of News: Exploring Journalists' Use of Twitter |journal=Media and Communication |year=2019 |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=248–258 |doi=10.17645/mac.v7i1.1772 |url=http://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/31885/1/Final%20proof.pdf |accessdate=29 September 2019 | issn=2183-2439|doi-access=free }}</ref> and had 66,000 followers between month 1 September and 3 October 2018.<ref name="Jukes"/> Mason tweeted about a "diverse and humorous range of interests beyond the political scene", including his native Yorkshire and [[goldfish]] named after other journalists.<ref name="Jukes"/>


===''Brexitcast'' and radio===
===''Brexitcast'' and radio===
Line 33: Line 35:


===BBC political editor===
===BBC political editor===
[[File:Prime Minister Liz Truss gives BBC Interview (52435445291).jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Mason
interviewing [[Liz Truss]] during [[October 2022 United Kingdom government crisis|her government's political crisis]], which saw her resign after seven weeks in office]]
Following [[Laura Kuenssberg]]'s announcement of her departure as political editor of BBC News, Mason publicly said he did not want the job, with ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' reporting he wanted to concentrate on his ''Any Questions?'' role and on writing a book.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Urwin |first1=Rosamund |title=BBC political editor: the £260,000-a-year job that no one wants |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bbc-political-editor-the-260-000-a-year-job-that-no-one-wants-0268wn385 |access-date=16 March 2022 |work=The Sunday Times |date=22 January 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> According to the same newspaper, he was later persuaded to apply for the job by BBC bosses after he was courted by rival broadcasters.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Urwin |first1=Rosamund |last2=Shipman |first2=Tim |title=Chris Mason leads the race as BBC's hunt for new political editor turns into real-life W1A |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/chris-mason-leads-the-race-as-bbcs-hunt-for-new-political-editor-turns-into-real-life-w1a-sdgtggqg6 |access-date=4 April 2022 |work=The Sunday Times |date=2 April 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> On 13 April 2022, it was announced that Mason would become the new political editor of BBC News and would begin in the role in May, replacing Kuenssberg.<ref name="Poled">{{cite news |title=Chris Mason appointed new BBC political editor |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-61024414?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA |access-date=13 April 2022 |work=BBC News |date=13 April 2022}}</ref>
Following [[Laura Kuenssberg]]'s announcement of her departure as political editor of BBC News, Mason publicly said he did not want the job, with ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' reporting he wanted to concentrate on his ''Any Questions?'' role and on writing a book.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Urwin |first1=Rosamund |title=BBC political editor: the £260,000-a-year job that no one wants |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bbc-political-editor-the-260-000-a-year-job-that-no-one-wants-0268wn385 |access-date=16 March 2022 |work=The Sunday Times |date=22 January 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> According to the same newspaper, he was later persuaded to apply for the job by BBC bosses after he was courted by rival broadcasters.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Urwin |first1=Rosamund |last2=Shipman |first2=Tim |title=Chris Mason leads the race as BBC's hunt for new political editor turns into real-life W1A |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/chris-mason-leads-the-race-as-bbcs-hunt-for-new-political-editor-turns-into-real-life-w1a-sdgtggqg6 |access-date=4 April 2022 |work=The Sunday Times |date=2 April 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> On 13 April 2022, it was announced that Mason would become the new political editor of BBC News and would begin in the role in May, replacing Kuenssberg.<ref name="Poled">{{cite news |title=Chris Mason appointed new BBC political editor |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-61024414?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA |access-date=13 April 2022 |work=BBC News |date=13 April 2022}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Mason is married to a [[primary school]] teacher.<ref name="Iain Dale All Talk"/> He and his wife have two children<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/chris-mason-any-questions-radio-4-a4280891.html|title=Chris Mason: There's never been a better time in my lifetime to do this job|last=Luckhurst|first=Pheobe|date=7 November 2019|work=Evening Standard|url-status=live|access-date=10 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107152755/https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/chris-mason-any-questions-radio-4-a4280891.html |archive-date=7 November 2019 }}</ref> and live in [[SE postcode area|South East London]].<ref>https://www.theweek.co.uk/news/media/954539/chris-mason-who-is-the-bbcs-new-political-editor#:~:text=In%20October%202019%20Mason%20became,long%2Dtime%20host%20Jonathan%20Dimbleby.&text=Mason%20lives%20in%20southeast%20London,teacher%2C%20and%20their%20two%20sons.</ref> Mason took [[parental leave]]
Mason is married to a [[primary school]] teacher.<ref name="Iain Dale All Talk"/> He and his wife have two children<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/chris-mason-any-questions-radio-4-a4280891.html|title=Chris Mason: There's never been a better time in my lifetime to do this job|last=Luckhurst|first=Pheobe|date=7 November 2019|work=Evening Standard|url-status=live|access-date=10 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107152755/https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/chris-mason-any-questions-radio-4-a4280891.html |archive-date=7 November 2019 }}</ref> and live in [[SE postcode area|South East London]].<ref>https://www.theweek.co.uk/news/media/954539/chris-mason-who-is-the-bbcs-new-political-editor#:~:text=In%20October%202019%20Mason%20became,long%2Dtime%20host%20Jonathan%20Dimbleby.&text=Mason%20lives%20in%20southeast%20London,teacher%2C%20and%20their%20two%20sons. {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref> Mason took [[parental leave]] between July and September 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.responsesource.com/bulletin/news/bbc-news-correspondent-chris-mason-takes-leave/|title=BBC News correspondent Chris Mason takes leave|work=ResponseSource|last=Knuckles|first=Oswin|url-status=live|access-date=7 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806164226/https://www.responsesource.com/bulletin/news/bbc-news-correspondent-chris-mason-takes-leave/ |archive-date=6 August 2020 }}</ref>
between July and September 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.responsesource.com/bulletin/news/bbc-news-correspondent-chris-mason-takes-leave/|title=BBC News correspondent Chris Mason takes leave|work=ResponseSource|last=Knuckles|first=Oswin|url-status=live|access-date=7 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806164226/https://www.responsesource.com/bulletin/news/bbc-news-correspondent-chris-mason-takes-leave/ |archive-date=6 August 2020 }}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
Line 51: Line 54:
{{s-ttl|title=Political Editor: [[BBC News]]|years=2022–present}}
{{s-ttl|title=Political Editor: [[BBC News]]|years=2022–present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-end}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Mason, Chris}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mason, Chris}}
⚫
[[Category:1980 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Bradford]]
[[Category:1980 births]]
[[Category:People educated at Ermysted's Grammar School]]
[[Category:21st-century English journalists]]
[[Category:Alumni of Christ's College, Cambridge]]
[[Category:Alumni of Christ's College, Cambridge]]
[[Category:Alumni of City, University of London]]
[[Category:Alumni of City, University of London]]
Line 63: Line 66:
[[Category:British radio journalists]]
[[Category:British radio journalists]]
[[Category:British television journalists]]
[[Category:British television journalists]]
⚫
[[Category:21st-century British journalists]]
⚫
[[Category:Journalists from Yorkshire]]
[[Category:ITN newsreaders and journalists]]
[[Category:English radio presenters]]
[[Category:English radio presenters]]
[[Category:English television presenters]]
[[Category:English television presenters]]
⚫
[[Category:ITN newsreaders and journalists]]
⚫
[[Category:Journalists from Yorkshire]]
[[Category:People educated at Ermysted's Grammar School]]
⚫
[[Category:People from Bradford]]
[[Category:People from Grassington]]

Latest revision as of 01:47, 19 November 2024

Chris Mason
Mason in 2023
Born
Christopher Richard Mason

(1980-04-21) 21 April 1980 (age 44)
Steeton with Eastburn, West Yorkshire, England
EducationErmysted's Grammar School
Alma materChrist's College, Cambridge
City, University of London
EmployerBBC
Notable workNewscast
Any Questions?
TitlePolitical Editor of BBC News (2022–present)
Children2

Christopher Richard Mason (born 21 April 1980) is an English journalist who has been the Political Editor of BBC News since 2022, having been the corporation's political correspondent. He filled the vacant Political Editor position previously held by Laura Kuenssberg. He is also a presenter of the podcast and television programme Newscast (formerly Brexitcast).

Early life and career

[edit]

Christopher Richard Mason was born on 21 April 1980[1][2] in Airedale Hospital in Steeton with Eastburn, Bradford, West Yorkshire.[3] His parents were primary school teachers.[4] He grew up in Grassington, North Yorkshire,[3] and attended Ermysted's Grammar School in Skipton.[3][5] He listened to radio, in particular BBC Radio Lancashire, from an early age and his childhood ambition was to present his own programme.[6] He was an undergraduate at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he studied Geography, and participated in student newspapers, student radio and student television.[7] Mason started his career as a trainee in broadcast journalism at ITN in autumn 2001.[1][3][7] He gained a postgraduate diploma from City, University of London,[3][8] where he trained as a journalist.[7]

Career

[edit]

In 2002, Mason moved to BBC Newcastle, where he befriended future broadcaster Rob Young,[7][6] and then to the BBC regional desk at Westminster.[1][3] His first report from Westminster was in 2004.[6] For two years, Mason reported for BBC News as a Europe correspondent,[1][3] followed by a short stint as a political reporter on BBC Radio 5 Live.[3] He then became a political correspondent for BBC News in 2012.[1][3]

The Yorkshire Post has described Mason's broadcasting style as relatively "informal", and said that that has attracted attention in his television appearances as an occasional host of BBC Breakfast and a political correspondent.[1] In February 2016, Mason broadcast from outside 10 Downing Street as he unsuccessfully attempted to engage ministers arriving for the cabinet meeting called to discuss David Cameron's renegotiation of the UK's European Union membership.[9] Whilst live on BBC Breakfast in November 2018, he asked "So where are we in all of this Brexit process? To be quite honest, looking at things right now, I haven't got the foggiest idea what is going to happen in the coming weeks. Is the Prime Minister going to get a deal with the EU? Dunno! Is she going to be able to get it through the Commons? Don't know about that, either. I think you might as well get Mr Blobby back on to offer his analysis, because, frankly, I suspect his is now as good as mine." Mason was praised for his honesty after his comments were shared on social media[1][10][11][12] and translated into French in newspaper Le Parisien.[9]

In December 2018 he unveiled a blue plaque honouring the Yorkshire-born journalist W. R. Mitchell (1928–2015).[1][13] A study of "the Twitter output of 10 seasoned UK political correspondents" found, that Mason was a "prolific" tweeter,[14] and had 66,000 followers between month 1 September and 3 October 2018.[14] Mason tweeted about a "diverse and humorous range of interests beyond the political scene", including his native Yorkshire and goldfish named after other journalists.[14]

Brexitcast and radio

[edit]

In June 2017, he began presenting the podcast Brexitcast (now known as Newscast) with Adam Fleming and was later joined by Laura Kuenssberg and Katya Adler. The podcast covered the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union from Brussels and London.[1][3] From September 2019 to January 2020, Brexitcast was also broadcast on BBC One television.[15] He has presented two BBC Radio 4 documentaries called Could the PM Have a Brummie Accent? and The Country vs the City, in July 2018 and March 2019.[5][16]

On 9 October 2019, Mason was appointed chair of the BBC Radio 4 debate programme Any Questions?[17][18] He said it was "daunting" to take over from Jonathan Dimbleby, who had been chair for 32 years. Mason suggested his Yorkshire accent helped him get the job and pointed at a lack of a broad range of regional accents more generally in British broadcasting.[19] His first show was broadcast from the University of Reading on 18 October with guests Siân Berry, Madeline Grant, David Lammy and Brandon Lewis.[20] Despite reports that Mason might join the new digital station Times Radio before its 2020 launch, he remained at the BBC.[21]

BBC political editor

[edit]
Mason interviewing Liz Truss during her government's political crisis, which saw her resign after seven weeks in office

Following Laura Kuenssberg's announcement of her departure as political editor of BBC News, Mason publicly said he did not want the job, with The Sunday Times reporting he wanted to concentrate on his Any Questions? role and on writing a book.[22] According to the same newspaper, he was later persuaded to apply for the job by BBC bosses after he was courted by rival broadcasters.[23] On 13 April 2022, it was announced that Mason would become the new political editor of BBC News and would begin in the role in May, replacing Kuenssberg.[24]

Personal life

[edit]

Mason is married to a primary school teacher.[4] He and his wife have two children[25] and live in South East London.[26] Mason took parental leave between July and September 2019.[27]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Parsons, Rob (16 December 2018). "Chris Mason interview: Now is the best time I've ever known to be a BBC political correspondent". Yorkshire Post. Archived from the original on 25 May 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  2. ^ Wickham, Alex (21 April 2021). "POLITICO London Playbook: They think it's all over ... it is now — Change of Stratt — Liz vs. Oz". POLITICO. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Chris Mason – Biography and Images". TV Newsroom. 10 September 2019. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Chris Mason". Iain Dale All Talk (Podcast). Global. 1 July 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  5. ^ a b "BBC political correspondent Chris Mason talks about growing up in the Dales in new radio documentary". Craven Herald. Newsquest. 26 February 2019. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  6. ^ a b c Seel, Matt (18 October 2019). "Five things you never knew about Chris Mason". About the BBC. BBC. Archived from the original on 18 October 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d "From geography to journalism with BBC presenter Chris Mason". Ask the Geographer (Podcast). Royal Geographical Society. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  8. ^ "Any Questions? - Chris Mason". BBC Radio 4. BBC.
  9. ^ a b A.R. (15 November 2018). "Crise du Brexit : un journaliste de la BBC admet en plein direct ne plus rien comprendre". Le Parisien. Paris, France. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  10. ^ Selk, Avi (14 November 2018). "A BBC reporter replaced his Brexit analysis with exasperated noises, and now he's a hero". The Washington Post. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  11. ^ Morris, James (13 November 2018). "BBC reporter Chris Mason hailed for refreshing Brexit analysis: 'I haven't got the foggiest idea... ask Mr Blobby'". Evening Standard. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  12. ^ "A BBC journalist has perfectly summed up how many people feel about Brexit". The Irish News. 14 November 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  13. ^ Tobitt, Charlotte (17 December 2018). "BBC's Chris Mason unveils blue plaque for 'incredible' Yorkshire journalist W. R. Mitchell". Press Gazette. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  14. ^ a b c Jukes, Stephen (2019). "Crossing the Line between News and the Business of News: Exploring Journalists' Use of Twitter" (PDF). Media and Communication. 7 (1): 248–258. doi:10.17645/mac.v7i1.1772. ISSN 2183-2439. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  15. ^ "Brex, Lies and Barnier Tapes". Brexitcast (Podcast). BBC. 12 September 2019. Archived from the original on 29 September 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  16. ^ Archive on 4, Could the PM Have a Brummie Accent?. BBC Radio 4. BBC. July 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  17. ^ "Chris Mason: BBC Brexitcaster to be new host of Radio 4's Any Questions?". BBC News. 9 October 2019. Archived from the original on 10 October 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  18. ^ "The Londoner: Chris Mason lands Any Questions job". Evening Standard. 9 October 2019. Archived from the original on 9 October 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  19. ^ Singh, Anita (26 November 2019). "BBC Radio 4 host Chris Mason: 'Yorkshire accent helped me get Any Questions? job'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  20. ^ Any Questions?, Sian Berry, David Lammy MP, Brandon Lewis MP. BBC Radio 4. BBC. 18 October 2019. Archived from the original on 18 October 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  21. ^ Waterson, Jim (15 February 2020). "Times Radio offering big money in effort to lure BBC presenters". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  22. ^ Urwin, Rosamund (22 January 2022). "BBC political editor: the £260,000-a-year job that no one wants". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  23. ^ Urwin, Rosamund; Shipman, Tim (2 April 2022). "Chris Mason leads the race as BBC's hunt for new political editor turns into real-life W1A". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  24. ^ "Chris Mason appointed new BBC political editor". BBC News. 13 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  25. ^ Luckhurst, Pheobe (7 November 2019). "Chris Mason: There's never been a better time in my lifetime to do this job". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 7 November 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  26. ^ https://www.theweek.co.uk/news/media/954539/chris-mason-who-is-the-bbcs-new-political-editor#:~:text=In%20October%202019%20Mason%20became,long%2Dtime%20host%20Jonathan%20Dimbleby.&text=Mason%20lives%20in%20southeast%20London,teacher%2C%20and%20their%20two%20sons. [bare URL]
  27. ^ Knuckles, Oswin. "BBC News correspondent Chris Mason takes leave". ResponseSource. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
[edit]
Media offices
Preceded by Political Editor: BBC News
2022–present 		Incumbent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Chris_Mason_(journalist)&oldid=1258316273"