Political Journalist, Broadcaster, Author

Mehdi Hasan is a senior contributor at The Intercept and Host of the podcast Deconstructed, as well as a Presenter for Al Jazeera English TV shows UpFront and Head to Head, in which he interviews major public figures. He was also co-author of a biography about Ed Miliband, entitled ‘Ed: the Milibands and the Making of a Labour Leader’. At a time when the truth is being denied to the world, Hasan exemplifies tenacity and courage in countering the myths and snowballing used by opponents of transparency, pluralism and democracy.

With his relentless questioning style and broad command of facts, he offers a provocative perspective on the ups and downs of U.S. and global politics through his reporting. He represents the best tradition of journalism by remaining steadfast and exposing lies disguised as talking points. Named one of the 100 'most influential' Britons on Twitter, Hasan was included in the annual global list of 'The 500 Most Influential Muslims' in the World ('The Muslim 500'). In 2014 Hasan was awarded the Services to Media award at the British Muslim Awards.

Born and raised in the UK, Mehdi Hasan began his career as a researcher and then producer on LWT's Jonathan Dimbleby program, with a brief period in between on BBC1's The Politics Show. Following this, he became deputy executive producer on Sky's breakfast show Sunrise, before moving to Channel 4 as their editor of news and current affairs. He was appointed senior political editor at the New Statesman, where he wrote articles about Islam and Muslims and its principles of peace, moderation and mercy. In 2012 he moved on to become political director of The BBC version of the Huffington Post website. In 2015, Hasan moved to Washington, D.C. to work full-time for Al Jazeera on UpFront, and as host of the Deconstructed podcast on the investigative journal, The Intercept, in which he unpacks a game-changing news event of the week while challenging conventional wisdom. Hasan has been vocal in his condemnation of the media, dissenting against their dishonest, demonizing press coverage of Muslims and other minorities.

Hasan has been critical of the portrayal of Muslims in the media as  the "common stereotype of the Middle Eastern, Muslim-born terrorist," and argued that motivations for terror attacks lie in "social networks and family ties; issues of identity and belonging; a sense of persecution; mental illness; socio-economic grievances; moral outrage over conflict and torture; a craving for glory and purpose, action and adventure."

Last month on MSNBC, Hasan spoke of media hypocrisy following the New Zealand mass shooting, claiming "A non-Muslim terrorist has to kill on average 7 people more than a Muslim terrorist to get equal coverage as a Muslim terrorist”. Hasan has been relentless in his interviews of Trump proxies, exposing Trump’s lies and previously took part in a debate at Oxford Union considering whether Islam is a peaceful religion which went viral, amassing several million views online.

DRIVEN BY HIS IDEALS

Mehdi Hasan’s passion for the principles of the Islamic faith of peace, moderation and mercy, fuel his work. He often speaks out on the injustices prevalent in society and how they run counter to these ideals.

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