Matt Frei wins Charles Wheeler Award at Westminster’s Regent Street Cinema

This was the 13th such award, which began in 2009, and is now recognised as one of the most prestigious journalism awards of the year. This year’s winner was Matt Frei, Channel 4 Presenter and Europe Editor, who received the award from Charles Wheeler’s daughters, Shirin and Marina, in front of a packed cinema audience. 

Matt Frei’s distinguished journalism career started in 1989 when he reported for the BBC on the First Intifada in Jerusalem, before moving to Bonn as the Berlin wall fell. Frei reported from Hong Kong, the United States, and also hosted the News at Six and Newsnight during his BBC career. After moving to Channel 4 in 2011, he became a regular fixture in reporting on the US presidential elections and other major political stories from across the pond. He has previously won an International Emmy for News, and was named Royal Television Society Journalist of the Year in 2015 and 2017. He also has his own weekly radio show on LBC.

Following presentation of the award, author, journalist and Co-Founder of the Women’s Equality Party, Catherine Mayer delivered the annual BJR Charles Wheeler Lecture. Mayer’s lecture addressed a wide range of topics related to equality and equity in journalism. She examined the role of impartiality, gender inequality, and the framing (or its absence) of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral against the backdrop the COVID-19 pandemic. The evening finished with a Q&A hosted by Professor Steven Barnett, and a celebratory drinks reception in the University’s historic Fyvie Hall. 

The event was supported by The Journalists’ Charity. The Journalists’ Charity has supported thousands of journalists since it was set up by Charles Dickens over 150 years ago, as well as championing the best of journalism.

Reflecting on the evening, Professor Steven Barnett said: “It was great to have such a large audience back in the cinema after a three-year long enforced absence, and fitting that an event celebrating one of the BBC’s most accomplished journalists should take place in the BBC’s centenary week. Matt’s style of informed and accessible journalism is exactly the kind of approach that was personified by Charles Wheeler, and he is a wonderful role model for any aspiring journalist.”

The event was attended by senior industry figures, including previous award winners Lindsey Hilsum and Michael Crick, as well as the University of Westminster’s Vice-Chancellor and President Dr Peter Bonfield and senior academics from other universities.