Paul Mason

Paul Mason (born 23 January 1960) is a left-wing British commentator and radio personality. He was Culture and Digital Editor of Channel 4 News, becoming the programme's Economics Editor on 1 June 2014, a post he formerly held on BBC Two's Newsnight programme. He is the author of several books and a visiting professor at the University of Wolverhampton.

Mason was born in Leigh, Lancashire. His father, John Mason (1927–86), was a lorry driver for Ward & Goldstone Ltd. His mother, Julia (née Lewis, born 1935), was headmistress of St Margaret Mary's Primary School, Hindley Green. One grandparent was a miner and another was a Lithuanian-Jewish violinist.

Mason was educated at St Joseph's RC Primary School in Leigh and Thornleigh Salesian College in Bolton. He graduated from the University of Sheffield with a degree in music and politics in 1981 and trained to be a music teacher at London University Institute of Education, after which he undertook postgraduate research into the music of the Second Viennese School at the University of Sheffield until 1984.

Mason lived in Leicester from 1982 to 1988, working as a music teacher, and lecturer in music at Loughborough University.