Paul Mason (journalist)
Encyclopedia
Paul Mason is economics
editor of BBC's Newsnight
. He is the author of Live Working or Die Fighting: How the Working Class Went Global and, more recently, a book on the global economic crisis: Meltdown - the End of the Age of Greed.
, Lancashire
. His father, John Mason (1927–1986), was a lorry driver for Ward & Goldstone Ltd. His mother, Julia (née Lewis, b. 1935) was headmistress of St Margaret Mary's Primary School, Hindley Green
.
school St Joseph's RC Primary School in Leigh
, at the time in Lancashire
, and now part of Greater Manchester
, until 1971, followed by Thornleigh Salesian College
, also a Voluntary Aided school, which at the time, was an academically selective and partly fee-paying boys' Direct Grant Grammar School
(now a non-selective co-educational Comprehensive school), in Bolton
(also in Greater Manchester), until 1978. He graduated from the University of Sheffield
in 1981 and trained to be a music teacher at London University Institute of Education
, after which he undertook postgraduate research in the music department at Sheffield University until 1984.
. Mason wrote the music for Tony Stephens' With the Sun on Our Backs (1985), a play about the miners' strike produced by Utility Theatre. While Musical Director of the Leicester Phoenix Theatre, co-wrote the children's musical The Third Class Genie (1986) with Robert Leeson.
, on titles including Contract Journal, Community Care and Computer Weekly
, on which he was deputy editor. During the dotcom boom Mason launched E-Business Review and was consulting editor for the launch of CW360.com. He also contributed articles to the Daily Express
and the Mail on Sunday.
In August 2001, Mason joined the BBC Two
television programme Newsnight
as Business Editor. His first live appearance on Newsnight was on 11 September 2001.
In May 2007, Mason's book Live Working or Die Fighting: How the Working Class Went Global was published by Harvill Secker. The book was longlisted for the Guardian First Book Award
on 24 August 2007. In June 2007 Mason presented Spinning Yarns, a four-part series on the history of the cotton
industry for BBC Radio Four.
Mason appeared as the key talent in a new five-part BBC series Credit Crash Britain, first broadcast on BBC Two
on 30 October 2008.
was cited when Newsnight was awarded the Orwell Prize
(2007).
" for the National Union of Journalists
on BBC Newsnight. He is a supporter of Leigh Centurions
and Manchester United F.C.
. He is married to Jane Bruton.
It is claimed that Mason has addressed meetings of the Trotskyist organisation Workers Power, of which he was
previously a member.
Gleneagles conference, Mason was one of the first journalists at the BBC to be permitted to write a blog
. His blog "Idle Scrawl" was later incorporated into Newsnight's "Talk About Newsnight" blog. Thereafter, together with Jeremy Paxman
, he became the first person on UK television to broadcast from within the online virtual world Second Life
, where he has an avatar also named Paul Mason.
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
editor of BBC's Newsnight
Newsnight
Newsnight is a BBC Television current affairs programme noted for its in-depth analysis and often robust cross-examination of senior politicians. Jeremy Paxman has been its main presenter for over two decades....
. He is the author of Live Working or Die Fighting: How the Working Class Went Global and, more recently, a book on the global economic crisis: Meltdown - the End of the Age of Greed.
Early life
Mason was born in LeighLeigh, Greater Manchester
Leigh is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, in Greater Manchester, England. It is southeast of Wigan, and west of Manchester. Leigh is situated on low lying land to the north west of Chat Moss....
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
. His father, John Mason (1927–1986), was a lorry driver for Ward & Goldstone Ltd. His mother, Julia (née Lewis, b. 1935) was headmistress of St Margaret Mary's Primary School, Hindley Green
Hindley Green
Hindley Green is a village in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan in Greater Manchester, England. The village lies to the east of Hindley and is centred on the A577 Atherton Road to its boundary with Leigh.-History:...
.
Education
Mason was educated at the Voluntary AidedVoluntary aided school
A voluntary aided school is a state-funded school in England and Wales in which a foundation or trust owns the school buildings, contributes to building costs and has a substantial influence in the running of the school...
school St Joseph's RC Primary School in Leigh
Leigh, Greater Manchester
Leigh is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, in Greater Manchester, England. It is southeast of Wigan, and west of Manchester. Leigh is situated on low lying land to the north west of Chat Moss....
, at the time in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, and now part of Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
, until 1971, followed by Thornleigh Salesian College
Thornleigh Salesian College
Thornleigh Salesian College is a Salesian and Catholic secondary school in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England.- History :Thornleigh College was founded in 1925 by The Salesian Order of Don Bosco at the request of the Clergy of Bolton....
, also a Voluntary Aided school, which at the time, was an academically selective and partly fee-paying boys' Direct Grant Grammar School
Direct grant grammar school
A direct grant grammar school was a selective secondary school in England and Wales between 1945 and 1976 funded partly by the state and partly through private fees....
(now a non-selective co-educational Comprehensive school), in Bolton
Bolton
Bolton is a town in Greater Manchester, in the North West of England. Close to the West Pennine Moors, it is north west of the city of Manchester. Bolton is surrounded by several smaller towns and villages which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, of which Bolton is the...
(also in Greater Manchester), until 1978. He graduated from the University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
in 1981 and trained to be a music teacher at London University Institute of Education
Institute of Education
The Institute of Education is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom specialised in postgraduate study and research in the field of education and a constituent college of the federal University of London. It is the largest education research body in the United Kingdom, with...
, after which he undertook postgraduate research in the music department at Sheffield University until 1984.
Musician
Mason lived in Leicester from 1982–1988, working as a music teacher, special needs teacher, and lecturer in music at Loughborough UniversityLoughborough University
Loughborough University is a research based campus university located in the market town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, in the East Midlands of England...
. Mason wrote the music for Tony Stephens' With the Sun on Our Backs (1985), a play about the miners' strike produced by Utility Theatre. While Musical Director of the Leicester Phoenix Theatre, co-wrote the children's musical The Third Class Genie (1986) with Robert Leeson.
Journalist
Mason has lived in London since 1988, where, after 1991 he became a freelance journalist. From 1995 to 2001 he worked for Reed Business Information, a division of Reed ElsevierReed Elsevier
Reed Elsevier is a publisher and information provider operating in the science, medical, legal, risk and business sectors. It is listed on several of the world's major stock exchanges. It is a FTSE 100 and FT500 Global company...
, on titles including Contract Journal, Community Care and Computer Weekly
Computer Weekly
ComputerWeekly was a weekly magazine for IT professionals which was published by Reed Business Information for over 40 years. The magazine was available free to IT professionals who met the circulation requirements...
, on which he was deputy editor. During the dotcom boom Mason launched E-Business Review and was consulting editor for the launch of CW360.com. He also contributed articles to the Daily Express
Daily Express
The Daily Express switched from broadsheet to tabloid in 1977 and was bought by the construction company Trafalgar House in the same year. Its publishing company, Beaverbrook Newspapers, was renamed Express Newspapers...
and the Mail on Sunday.
In August 2001, Mason joined the BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
television programme Newsnight
Newsnight
Newsnight is a BBC Television current affairs programme noted for its in-depth analysis and often robust cross-examination of senior politicians. Jeremy Paxman has been its main presenter for over two decades....
as Business Editor. His first live appearance on Newsnight was on 11 September 2001.
In May 2007, Mason's book Live Working or Die Fighting: How the Working Class Went Global was published by Harvill Secker. The book was longlisted for the Guardian First Book Award
Guardian First Book Award
Guardian First Book Award, issued before 1999 as Guardian Fiction Prize or Guardian Fiction Award, is awarded to new writing in fiction and non-fiction.-History:...
on 24 August 2007. In June 2007 Mason presented Spinning Yarns, a four-part series on the history of the cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
industry for BBC Radio Four.
Mason appeared as the key talent in a new five-part BBC series Credit Crash Britain, first broadcast on BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
on 30 October 2008.
Awards
Mason won the Wincott Prize for Business Journalism in 2003, the Workworld Broadcaster of the Year in 2004 and the Diageo African Business Reporting Award in 2007. His report on the social movements behind Bolivian president Evo MoralesEvo Morales
Juan Evo Morales Ayma , popularly known as Evo , is a Bolivian politician and activist, currently serving as the 80th President of Bolivia, a position that he has held since 2006. He is also the leader of both the Movement for Socialism party and the cocalero trade union...
was cited when Newsnight was awarded the Orwell Prize
Orwell Prize
The Orwell Prize used to be regarded as the pre-eminent British prize for political writing.Three prizes are awarded each year: one for a book, one for journalism and another for blogging...
(2007).
Personal life
Mason is "father of the chapelFather of the Chapel
The Father of Chapel and Mother of Chapel are the titles in the United Kingdom referring to a shop steward representing members of a trade union in a printing office or in journalism. The FoC or MoC is assisted by the Clerk of the Chapel or by a Deputy FoC/MoC.In the printing trade, a Chapel was...
" for the National Union of Journalists
National Union of Journalists
The National Union of Journalists is a trade union for journalists in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It was founded in 1907 and has 38,000 members. It is a member of the International Federation of Journalists .-Structure:...
on BBC Newsnight. He is a supporter of Leigh Centurions
Leigh Centurions
Leigh Centurions is an English professional rugby league club based in Leigh, Greater Manchester who play in the Co-operative Championship.The club was founded in 1878 as Leigh Rugby Football Club and is one of the original twenty-two clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in...
and Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. He is married to Jane Bruton.
It is claimed that Mason has addressed meetings of the Trotskyist organisation Workers Power, of which he was
previously a member.
Cyberspace
In the run up to the 2005 G8G8
The Group of Eight is a forum, created by France in 1975, for the governments of seven major economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In 1997, the group added Russia, thus becoming the G8...
Gleneagles conference, Mason was one of the first journalists at the BBC to be permitted to write a blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
. His blog "Idle Scrawl" was later incorporated into Newsnight's "Talk About Newsnight" blog. Thereafter, together with Jeremy Paxman
Jeremy Paxman
Jeremy Dickson Paxman is a British journalist, author and television presenter. He has worked for the BBC since 1977. He is noted for a forthright and abrasive interviewing style, particularly when interrogating politicians...
, he became the first person on UK television to broadcast from within the online virtual world Second Life
Second Life
Second Life is an online virtual world developed by Linden Lab. It was launched on June 23, 2003. A number of free client programs, or Viewers, enable Second Life users, called Residents, to interact with each other through avatars...
, where he has an avatar also named Paul Mason.
External links
- Paul Mason on twitter
- Mason at London's Frontline Club, 23 April 2009
- Official website of BBC's Newsnight programme
- Paul Mason bio on BBC website
- Website of Live Working or Die Fighting
- Website of Meltdown, the End of the Age of Greed
- Mason on Live Working or Die Fighting: How the Working Class Went Global - video interview by Democracy Now!Democracy Now!Democracy Now! and its staff have received several journalism awards, including the Gracie Award from American Women in Radio & Television; the George Polk Award for its 1998 radio documentary Drilling and Killing: Chevron and Nigeria's Oil Dictatorship, on the Chevron Corporation and the deaths of...
- Daily Telegraph]