About Dan Hancox

Dan Hancox is a freelance writer for The Guardian and others, interested in radical politics, protest, and pop culture in Britain, Spain and beyond. His books include Utopia and the Valley of TearsFight Back! and Kettled Youth.

Articles by Dan Hancox

The only socialism we will ever know?

Looking for signs of life and the difference that was made, surely that dreary grey oblong could not have been the spiritual home of the 99%? But it was and it did.

Let them eat cupcakes

Dan Hancox opens his new column saying good riddance to Britain’s 2012, as the country, caught in the grip of a return to Victorian levels of wealth inequality, exacts its revenge on time.

The BBC and the NHS Act: the fall-out, and a response from the Beeb

Oliver Huitson's landmark investigation of the BBC's coverage of the Health and Social Care Bill for ourBeeb saw a phenomenal response. Now the BBC responds to the report - but is their defence good enough?

Is Radio 1's quest for the elixir of youth doomed to fail?

Radio 1 have symbolically appointed a new breakfast show presenter, as the iconic station tries to address yet another BBC Trust warning that their listenership is too old. But has the digital revolution irreparably broken the relationship between young people and the Beeb?

Editor's blog: £3m for Clarkson, £42m for CBeebies - how the BBC spends its money

There are some fascinating insights into how much each BBC channel costs, and how they're paid for, in the Annual Report. But should we be so obsessed with cost in public service broadcasting to begin with?

George Orwell - too left wing for the BBC?

It emerged this week that a proposed statue to the legendary journalist - and former BBC employee - was turned down by departing DG Mark Thompson because of Orwell's leftist allegiances. What does that say about the BBC - and its critics?

Editor's blog: "we want to hear your views" - focus groups, feedback and the BBC

We publish the response to a recently filed ourBeeb Freedom of Information request on the BBC's little-known Audience Councils and its other feedback mechanisms. Are these focus groups and 'market research' surveys sufficient? If not, how might they be improved?

ourBeeb podcast 2: Claire Enders on the ever growing BBC news monopoly

Part two of an ourBeeb discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing the BBC, featuring the CEO of Enders Analysis. What future for democracy, when the BBC becomes a news-providing monopoly?

ourBeeb podcast 1: Claire Enders, Britain's leading media analyst

The first audio highlights of an ourBeeb discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing the BBC, featuring the CEO of Enders Analysis.

Editor's blog: Radio 4 and social class - the fall-out

What role does privilege play at the BBC in 2012 - and in the media at large? An ourBeeb survey into class and Radio 4 has touched a nerve in the press, and on the station itself.

The BBC and the future of broadcasting: special report from Enders Analysis

The first report from a scintillating ourBeeb discussion with Claire Enders, Britain's leading media analyst, finds the BBC at a digital crossroads, but holding up remarkably well.

Editor's blog: How the Daily Mail's anti-BBC vitriol stops us talking openly about its future

The Daily Mail's loathing of the BBC has this week given the world a 'scoop' which has turned out to be utter nonsense; yet with a tiny, buried apology, the damage is done.

How much did the BBC spend on the Hackney Weekend - and why won’t they tell us?

Should the BBC's mission to inform, educate and entertain incorporate hosting free music festivals for 100,000 people? Last month's Hackney Weekend was generally deemed a big success, but why aren't we allowed to know how much it cost, when we paid for it?

Editor's blog: Crowd-sourcing FOIs - what do you want to know about your Beeb?

The BBC is subject to the Freedom of Information Act, and given how little transparency there is in many of its operations, we want to submit your FOI requests for you - so send them on!

Editor's Blog: why did the BBC spend £189,000 of our money on choosing a new Director General?

After an opaque, expensive process involving a slick HR head-hunting firm, Director of BBC Vision George Entwistle has been announced as the next Director General, taking over from Mark Thompson in the autumn. The devil, as ever, is in the detail.

This week's editor

Heather McRobie


Heather McRobie is a regular contributor to 50.50

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