Chris Mason BBC News

[JustGiveMeReason]

Why is Chris Mason allowed a nightly platform to try to bring down the Government ?

He clearly has his own agenda.

I am not a member of any political party. Over the decades I've always voted, and made judgements on issues important to me at the time and voted for the 'best candidate at the time', which have been from different parties at different stages of my life.

But news reporters used to do just that - report the news. Not try to create situations.

For breathless gossip, nothing beats Nick Watt on Newsnight.

Yes I did. I also thought that was ridiculous. I woke up to cakegate on the today show as leading story for weeks. I don’t listen to today show now and my mornings are much improved

Well it’s a living and an income. I don’t listen to podcasts usually but the whole SM landscape is part of the media now and it started with the last gov.

Labour are new to it but if they used media storms to their advantage pre getting in they’re finding out the impact of them now in they’re in power.

There’s little point in blaming the media as everyone uses it when they can to their benefit. Labour are no different.

ETA agree on your last post.

The BBC have history for many years of keeping a story as a lead one long after it is 'new' news. Just as they keep entertainment shows on until they are well past their sell by date- think The Apprentice as a current example, Top Gear until the third serious injury.

I do increasingly feel this TBH.

You do seem to have to look for podcasts these days for any in-depth analysis.

I don't think it's a Chris Mason specific problem - I actually like him and have seen him do in depth analysis in podcasts - more that's what the role is now.

They certainly do for news stories that suit their agenda. And equally ignore others that don’t. But can’t agree with your assessment of The Apprentice or Top Gear for that matter. The Apprentice is hilarious and great tv even after 20 years!!

I don’t listen to today show now and my mornings are much improved

I stopped listening as well - woke up to it for decades and it was background morning noise - now it's news headlines from alexa if that.

Don't know if it's them or an age thing with me or state of the world thing or more likely mix of all of that and more.

Then the BBC has 2 Chris Masons because I have never seen the one you describe.

Noooooo, tell me it’s not true. Where and when was this.

Classic labour at the moment isn't blame everything on someone else. There is no need for Chris Mason to try ad bring down the government - they are doing a good enough job of that themselves. When even Scottish Labour are calling for the Prime Minister to go, it shows he is very light on supporters.

It was just what I was told by a broadcast journalist. It was 20 years ago now (wow, where did the time go). Maybe it’s changed.

😂😂😂

brilliant

I have to confess to being a bit of a politics junky. This morning, I woke up feeling the last few days have been something of a storm in a teacup. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are still in place. Anas Sarwar has weakened himself. This Labour government has not done well so far but it inherited a mess caused by austerity, Brexit and Covid, and there is no money. Starmer is dull and has poor judgement, but I struggle to understand why he is so deeply unpopular.

Anas Sarwar has weakened himself.

He's put distance between Scots Labour and Labour in westminster - it's what Welsh labour seems to be doing but not in one shot step he chose. Plus his focus is on Holyrood election campaign not westminster at the moment.

So not sure if it's clear he weakend himself or not yet - depends how May goes.

With no clear alternative leader to rally behind I think it was always going to be strom in a teacup everyone over excited then falling back into line.

Tbf I think he struggles to know why too. But voters get a say in the end.

Robert Peston's speech drives me bonkers. It's so affected and takes away what he's trying to say.

The problem with the reporting is the media being given anonymous quotes from MPs that don’t reflect the reality. They then breathlessly report these as fact and make predictions that don’t come true and no one will ever know where the information came from because they have to ‘protect their sources’. It’s exactly what Laura Kuenssberg used to do and was criticised for.

I don’t think Chris Mason is biased, but I do think he has an overinflated opinion of himself with his constant references to needing to ‘explain’ simple things to the public that are usually only of interest to ‘political nerds’ like himself because he’s the authority and all the thicko viewers would have no idea what was going on if it wasn’t for his razor sharp insight

Can I add the insufferable Beth Rigby? She can’t even speak properly.

I think there is a straight line between the 2008 crash and Robert Peston subsequent fame and fortune and the diabolical state of political journalists we see today. He became a household name overnight for explaining the credit crunch (my 5 yr old dd knew who he was he was on the telly so much!) and suddenly all the other journalists wanted a piece of the fame action and here we are now.

I despair of the BBC now - there’s so much ‘commentating’. It’s funny how Gaza/Iran/Ukraine are all not happening anymore because the BBC is obsessed with Epstein. Hang on? Aren’t they massively important issues - on no, not when we can obsess over emails that, although they expose corruption and misogyny, don’t actually affect my life. Unlike the cost of living, the state of our schools, climate change, local council funding, the water companies, global changes, security …. I could go on and on but no, we have Chris Mason salivating over Mandelson day after day after day.

It almost feels like the BBC want to create crises - if they sink another PM, it gives then more to cover and comment on. It worries me that young people are becoming increasingly disaffected from politics and either opt out or are dragged into the fantasy world of Farage and Polanski. Can we please dial back the drama and focus on a more measured tone?

BBC currently digging at the rift between Scottish Labour and the other national parties.

I thought people on here liked Peston, though maybe that was when he was banging on about Boris's misdemeanours

I wonder if Chris Mason follows mumsnet and has been reading this thread, he seemed a tiny bit less biased tonight on the 6 o clock news, but also a bit flat, not so giddy, no doubt very disappointed at the turn of events.

The other presenters who are awful at not hiding their political preferences are LK, Beth Rigby, Peston, Heny Zeffermen. Some others are much easier on the ear and more balanced - Adam Fleming, Alex Forsyth, Joe Pike, Paddy O'Connell and of course the brilliant Matt Chorley at 2pm weekdays. I listen to him whilst I WFH, sorry Nige.

Maybe he has no life outside the news

I used to like Sophie on sky news on Sunday ( can’t recall her last name ) as she was good at keeping it neutral.