Chris Mason: The Yorkshire-Born Journalist Leading BBC’s Political Coverage

From Yorkshire Roots to Broadcasting Excellence

Chris Mason has served as the Political Editor of BBC News since 2022, taking over the position previously held by Laura Kuenssberg. His appointment to one of the most coveted positions in British journalism came as a surprise to many, but Mason has proven himself to be a safe pair of hands during a time of transition for the broadcaster’s news department.

Current Role and Influence

In his role, Mason has been offering crucial insights into UK-EU relations, recently noting the ‘magnetising effect’ of global changes on both the EU and UK since the original Brexit deal, with both sides emphasizing the importance of closer defence and security ties. He has been particularly active in covering migration issues, reporting on Britain’s diplomatic efforts with Albania, which has shown significant progress in reducing illegal channel crossings from 12,500 Albanians in 2022 to much lower numbers currently.

Broadcasting Style and Impact

Mason’s broadcasting style has been described as relatively ‘informal,’ attracting attention in his television appearances, and over his decade-long career covering British politics on national TV, he has developed his distinctive ‘earnest yet informal’ style. According to senior political journalists, Mason excels as a ‘wise statesman who is good at analysing events’.

Multiple Media Platforms

Beyond his main role, Mason is a presenter of the podcast and television programme Newscast (formerly Brexitcast), which he began hosting in June 2017 with Adam Fleming, later joined by Laura Kuenssberg and Katya Adler. The podcast, which covered the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union from Brussels and London, was also broadcast on BBC One television from September 2019 to January 2020.

Looking Forward

Mason has described his role as ‘an immense privilege and responsibility,’ promising to ‘give it everything’. While his tenure has seen some controversy, he has managed to maintain a relatively balanced reputation compared to his predecessors, establishing himself as a key figure in British political journalism.