Hannah Fearn
@hannahfearn.bsky.social
Journalist and podcaster. Politics, social affairs and a little bit of Britpop. Once Independent, now independent.
Find me in The i Paper, The New European, Obs, The Lead, Yahoo and on Oh God, What Now? & The Bunker pods
https://muckrack.com/hannah-fearn
Find me in The i Paper, The New European, Obs, The Lead, Yahoo and on Oh God, What Now? & The Bunker pods
https://muckrack.com/hannah-fearn
Pinned
Hannah Fearn
@hannahfearn.bsky.social
· Nov 5
The winners of the Freelance Journalism Awards 2025 are out! Congratulations everyone!! open.substack.com/pub/freelanc...
Freelance Journalism Awards Winners 2025
Time to unveil our judges' selection!
open.substack.com
Holy moly! I didn't get Lily Allen tickets, but...
I did win TWO awards: Best News Story and Best Opinion Writer in the 2025 Freelance Journalism Awards.
Huge thank you to @freelancingfor.bsky.social for organising these and to your lovely judges. I am so honoured and proud to be named this year
I did win TWO awards: Best News Story and Best Opinion Writer in the 2025 Freelance Journalism Awards.
Huge thank you to @freelancingfor.bsky.social for organising these and to your lovely judges. I am so honoured and proud to be named this year
What HAS he got on him? You’ve got to wonder about that. Maybe some of you already know. (I hate being freelance on days like this, damnit; this is almost as bad as election day and the day the queen died for FOMO)
It's lunchtime and Morgan McSweeney still has a job. Incredible.
February 6, 2026 at 1:46 PM
What HAS he got on him? You’ve got to wonder about that. Maybe some of you already know. (I hate being freelance on days like this, damnit; this is almost as bad as election day and the day the queen died for FOMO)
It's lunchtime and Morgan McSweeney still has a job. Incredible.
February 6, 2026 at 1:34 PM
It's lunchtime and Morgan McSweeney still has a job. Incredible.
Reposted by Hannah Fearn
A political think tank hiring a PR firm to investigate journalists is highly unusual.
Former Labour MP Jon Cruddas, who helped found the organisation in 2015, said our findings were “shocking” and “extraordinary”.
“This is dark shit,” Cruddas told me.
Former Labour MP Jon Cruddas, who helped found the organisation in 2015, said our findings were “shocking” and “extraordinary”.
“This is dark shit,” Cruddas told me.
February 5, 2026 at 8:01 PM
A political think tank hiring a PR firm to investigate journalists is highly unusual.
Former Labour MP Jon Cruddas, who helped found the organisation in 2015, said our findings were “shocking” and “extraordinary”.
“This is dark shit,” Cruddas told me.
Former Labour MP Jon Cruddas, who helped found the organisation in 2015, said our findings were “shocking” and “extraordinary”.
“This is dark shit,” Cruddas told me.
Well, Jon Cruddas is right. "Dark shit" indeed.
🔴 BREAKING: Labour Together paid controversial PR firm £30k to investigate journalists who were digging into how its undeclared funding
Reporters from Sunday Times, Guardian and other outlets targetted
*And* Morgan McSweeney knew about it
Full story:
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
Reporters from Sunday Times, Guardian and other outlets targetted
*And* Morgan McSweeney knew about it
Full story:
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
BREAKING: McSweeney’s think tank paid PR firm to investigate journalists
Labour Together put private investigators onto journalists writing about its funding. Starmer's right-hand man knew.
democracyforsale.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Well, Jon Cruddas is right. "Dark shit" indeed.
Not an emergency pod, but an emergency release…
🚨 NEW EP OUT EARLY in case of… you know… 🚨 “I’m Mandy, buy me.” The Mandelson downfall horrifies even seasoned scandal-watchers. Could it consume Starmer too?
🚨 With @jonnelledge.bsky.social @rostaylor.bsky.social @rafaelbehr.bsky.social & @nndroid.bsky.social
🚨 Listen: linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
🚨 With @jonnelledge.bsky.social @rostaylor.bsky.social @rafaelbehr.bsky.social & @nndroid.bsky.social
🚨 Listen: linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
February 5, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Not an emergency pod, but an emergency release…
Reposted by Hannah Fearn
Grab your spot for this webinar later this month on pitching comment pieces with @hannahfearn.bsky.social - given she won the @freelancingfor.bsky.social award this year for best opinion writer, I can't really think of a better person to get advice from!!!!
Freelancing for Journalists is running a workshop on How to Pitch Comment Pieces with experienced opinion writer and former The Independent Comment Editor Hannah Fearn on February 25. www.tickettailor.com/events/freel...
Buy tickets – How to Pitch Comment Pieces - with Hannah Fearn – Zoom
How to Pitch Comment Pieces - with Hannah Fearn – Zoom, Wed 25 Feb 2026 -
TICKETS INCLUDE ACCESS TO THE LIVE WORKSHOP AND A WATCH BACK VID...
www.tickettailor.com
February 5, 2026 at 10:06 AM
Grab your spot for this webinar later this month on pitching comment pieces with @hannahfearn.bsky.social - given she won the @freelancingfor.bsky.social award this year for best opinion writer, I can't really think of a better person to get advice from!!!!
Reposted by Hannah Fearn
If you've cancelled your Washington Post or NY Times subscription but HAVEN'T subscribed to an independent news media organization - consider doing that today.
Some options: @propublica.org, @theappeal.org, @thenarwhal.ca, @404media.co, your local public radio or independent newspaper.
Some options: @propublica.org, @theappeal.org, @thenarwhal.ca, @404media.co, your local public radio or independent newspaper.
February 4, 2026 at 7:15 PM
If you've cancelled your Washington Post or NY Times subscription but HAVEN'T subscribed to an independent news media organization - consider doing that today.
Some options: @propublica.org, @theappeal.org, @thenarwhal.ca, @404media.co, your local public radio or independent newspaper.
Some options: @propublica.org, @theappeal.org, @thenarwhal.ca, @404media.co, your local public radio or independent newspaper.
Reposted by Hannah Fearn
🔊 The one about higher education. @gsoh31.bsky.social says “Voters will say ’academics are always going on about [the funding crisis].’ We’ve already had a university go bust and there will definitely be more. This is real. MPs won’t like it in their own constituencies.”
🇬🇧 #UKPolitics 🗳️ #Podcasts 📻
🇬🇧 #UKPolitics 🗳️ #Podcasts 📻
📚New Episode📚
A forty-year slow-motion disaster in higher education is reaching its climax – and Labour is left holding the bag. @gsoh31.bsky.social joins @rostaylor.bsky.social & @hannahfearn.bsky.social to ask if the problems can be solved ➡️ linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnowpod
A forty-year slow-motion disaster in higher education is reaching its climax – and Labour is left holding the bag. @gsoh31.bsky.social joins @rostaylor.bsky.social & @hannahfearn.bsky.social to ask if the problems can be solved ➡️ linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnowpod
February 4, 2026 at 9:49 AM
🔊 The one about higher education. @gsoh31.bsky.social says “Voters will say ’academics are always going on about [the funding crisis].’ We’ve already had a university go bust and there will definitely be more. This is real. MPs won’t like it in their own constituencies.”
🇬🇧 #UKPolitics 🗳️ #Podcasts 📻
🇬🇧 #UKPolitics 🗳️ #Podcasts 📻
I think we need to start calling this policy The Scumbag Clause.
"Let's put this another way: 5p off your pint but thousands of children go hungry"
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/ref...
via @thelondoneconomic.bsky.social
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/ref...
via @thelondoneconomic.bsky.social
February 4, 2026 at 5:24 PM
I think we need to start calling this policy The Scumbag Clause.
Reposted by Hannah Fearn
"Let's put this another way: 5p off your pint but thousands of children go hungry"
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/ref...
via @thelondoneconomic.bsky.social
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/ref...
via @thelondoneconomic.bsky.social
February 4, 2026 at 5:22 PM
"Let's put this another way: 5p off your pint but thousands of children go hungry"
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/ref...
via @thelondoneconomic.bsky.social
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/ref...
via @thelondoneconomic.bsky.social
Reposted by Hannah Fearn
Sometimes I just need Private Eye ….
February 4, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Sometimes I just need Private Eye ….
8 Mile vibes in Westminster
If Starmer does fall, Labour will have one chance to reset. It will have to make the right, decisive calls on leadership and direction.
February 4, 2026 at 2:28 PM
8 Mile vibes in Westminster
Please can Big Magnesium leave me alone.
February 4, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Please can Big Magnesium leave me alone.
Reposted by Hannah Fearn
Fees, debt, recruiting abroad, closures, AI - our deep dive into why most universities are struggling right now.
📚New Episode📚
A forty-year slow-motion disaster in higher education is reaching its climax – and Labour is left holding the bag. @gsoh31.bsky.social joins @rostaylor.bsky.social & @hannahfearn.bsky.social to ask if the problems can be solved ➡️ linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnowpod
A forty-year slow-motion disaster in higher education is reaching its climax – and Labour is left holding the bag. @gsoh31.bsky.social joins @rostaylor.bsky.social & @hannahfearn.bsky.social to ask if the problems can be solved ➡️ linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnowpod
February 4, 2026 at 8:27 AM
Fees, debt, recruiting abroad, closures, AI - our deep dive into why most universities are struggling right now.
A depressing inflation update from my morning walk through Clapham
February 4, 2026 at 8:37 AM
A depressing inflation update from my morning walk through Clapham
Interesting report on the state of journalism… but can’t help reading the title as ‘look at the STATE of it’
media.muckrack.com/documents/6....
media.muckrack.com/documents/6....
media.muckrack.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Interesting report on the state of journalism… but can’t help reading the title as ‘look at the STATE of it’
media.muckrack.com/documents/6....
media.muckrack.com/documents/6....
Reposted by Hannah Fearn
As the mum of a 1st yr uni student and a GCSE student thinking about going too, this was not a fun listen but it was an important listen.
📚New Episode📚
A forty-year slow-motion disaster in higher education is reaching its climax – and Labour is left holding the bag. @gsoh31.bsky.social joins @rostaylor.bsky.social & @hannahfearn.bsky.social to ask if the problems can be solved ➡️ linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnowpod
A forty-year slow-motion disaster in higher education is reaching its climax – and Labour is left holding the bag. @gsoh31.bsky.social joins @rostaylor.bsky.social & @hannahfearn.bsky.social to ask if the problems can be solved ➡️ linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnowpod
February 3, 2026 at 8:04 PM
As the mum of a 1st yr uni student and a GCSE student thinking about going too, this was not a fun listen but it was an important listen.
Reposted by Hannah Fearn
📚New Episode📚
A forty-year slow-motion disaster in higher education is reaching its climax – and Labour is left holding the bag. @gsoh31.bsky.social joins @rostaylor.bsky.social & @hannahfearn.bsky.social to ask if the problems can be solved ➡️ linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnowpod
A forty-year slow-motion disaster in higher education is reaching its climax – and Labour is left holding the bag. @gsoh31.bsky.social joins @rostaylor.bsky.social & @hannahfearn.bsky.social to ask if the problems can be solved ➡️ linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnowpod
February 3, 2026 at 7:29 PM
📚New Episode📚
A forty-year slow-motion disaster in higher education is reaching its climax – and Labour is left holding the bag. @gsoh31.bsky.social joins @rostaylor.bsky.social & @hannahfearn.bsky.social to ask if the problems can be solved ➡️ linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnowpod
A forty-year slow-motion disaster in higher education is reaching its climax – and Labour is left holding the bag. @gsoh31.bsky.social joins @rostaylor.bsky.social & @hannahfearn.bsky.social to ask if the problems can be solved ➡️ linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnowpod
For those of you wondering why you haven’t seen as much journalism from me lately, it’s because I’ve been spending time working on an interesting project with @nestauk.bsky.social - will share more soon
February 3, 2026 at 5:31 PM
For those of you wondering why you haven’t seen as much journalism from me lately, it’s because I’ve been spending time working on an interesting project with @nestauk.bsky.social - will share more soon
Perhaps the most egregious example of politics fawning on older voters while literally starving this country of its future
Reform UK says it would re-impose two-child benefit cap for most families to fund £3bn support package for pubs - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
February 3, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Perhaps the most egregious example of politics fawning on older voters while literally starving this country of its future
Reposted by Hannah Fearn
Imagine Mandelson is under a lot of stress right now so just as well his husband is a trained osteopath.
February 3, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Imagine Mandelson is under a lot of stress right now so just as well his husband is a trained osteopath.
This is basically a plea from me to stop the exodus!
Latest column/feature for @theipaper.com
inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...
Latest column/feature for @theipaper.com
inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...
I'm raising my family in London - parents who move out aren't doing it for their kids
We have the best state schools, exam results, teachers, museums and transport. Those who leave for the countryside often regret it
inews.co.uk
February 3, 2026 at 11:22 AM
This is basically a plea from me to stop the exodus!
Latest column/feature for @theipaper.com
inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...
Latest column/feature for @theipaper.com
inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...
Can someone let the twenty-something running Suede’s socials why they shouldn’t share content by someone called “starshaped” 😂😂😂
February 3, 2026 at 9:46 AM
Can someone let the twenty-something running Suede’s socials why they shouldn’t share content by someone called “starshaped” 😂😂😂
Speccy puffing its Mandy piece: "Alexander Larman writes that there’s no way back for Peter Mandelson: the once-powerful ‘Prince of Darkness’ who is now little more than a diminished public figure."
"Diminished"?! Ffs.
You know what, can we ask just some women to write about Mandelson please?
"Diminished"?! Ffs.
You know what, can we ask just some women to write about Mandelson please?
February 2, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Speccy puffing its Mandy piece: "Alexander Larman writes that there’s no way back for Peter Mandelson: the once-powerful ‘Prince of Darkness’ who is now little more than a diminished public figure."
"Diminished"?! Ffs.
You know what, can we ask just some women to write about Mandelson please?
"Diminished"?! Ffs.
You know what, can we ask just some women to write about Mandelson please?
Reposted by Hannah Fearn
big Epstein-Mandelson scoop coming up soon
February 2, 2026 at 11:14 AM
big Epstein-Mandelson scoop coming up soon