The News Meeting - podcast cover

The News Meeting

The Observerobserver.co.uk

Every Monday and Friday three journalists battle it out to try and convince the editor that their pitch should lead the news. 


Discover what goes on behind the scenes in a newsroom. Why do some stories dominate, while others fail to make the cut?


Tell us if you agree with the final running order - email [email protected] 


Book your place at a news meeting live in our newsroom - https://www.tortoisemedia.com/our-events 


Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore


Producer: Casey Magloire


To find out more about The Observer:

Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content

Head to our website observer.co.uk 

Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists

If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

Sensemaker: Britain’s mouldy homes

Yeremiah Bizimana has been living in a hotel for almost nine months because his council house has problems caused by damp and mould. To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about...

Apr 24, 20247 minEp. 241

Sensemaker: Why the internet is arguing about flooding in Dubai

A storm that brought record rainfall and flooding to parts of the United Arab Emirates led to a wave of speculation online about the dangers of ‘geo-engineering’. But what exactly is ‘cloud seeding’ and is it really to blame for the recent extreme weather? To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of T...

Apr 23, 20249 minEp. 240

News Meeting: Sunak’s Rwanda showdown and the Met’s apology to an anti semitism campaigner

What propels something to the top of the news agenda? James Harding is joined by three guests who each pitch the story they think should lead the news. In this episode he’s joined by former Observer editor Will Hutton to discuss the wrangling over the government’s Rwanda policy, the Met’s apology to Gideon Falter after he was called "openly Jewish" by police and threatened with arrest, and Congress approving $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine. Book your ticket for the next News Meeting Live ...

Apr 22, 202436 minEp. 239

Sensemaker: Vinicius Jr: the Real Madrid star’s fight against racism

During an emotional news conference the Real Madrid footballer Vinicius Junior broke down in tears as he described the racist abuse he faces whilst playing in Spain. But what is being done about it? To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to ...

Apr 22, 20247 minEp. 238

Editor's Voicemail: David Cameron inspires a rethink

Although Lord Cameron’s turn as Foreign Secretary hasn’t redeemed his reputation for Brexit, it has made James think again - not just about the former prime minister, but about politics and political coverage. To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and...

Apr 19, 20247 minEp. 237

News Meeting: Christiana Figueres on the Dubai floods and Rishi Sunak’s smoking ban

Former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres joins the Tortoise team to tell them what she thinks should lead the news. Plus, Kevin Sullivan and Mary Jordan have their latest Postcard from America. This week it’s about the rise of college women’s basketball, fuelled by one charismatic star - Caitlin Clark.  Book your ticket for the next News Meeting Live on 24th April by clicking here . Email: [email protected] Guests: Christiana Figueres, former UN climate chief and host of the ...

Apr 19, 202446 minEp. 236

Sensemaker: The Swiss women who went to court over climate change and won

A group of Swiss women who are all over the age of 64 took their government to court over climate change and won. How did they do it? To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more abou...

Apr 19, 20249 minEp. 235

Trendy: What London Thinks

Forty years ago London was in decline. Now it’s a global megacity with a growing population and a large economy, but it’s quite socially conservative. How does that shape the politics of the capital and who governs it? Click here to book your tickets for Trendy Live at 6.30pm on Wednesday 8th May: https://www.tortoisemedia.com/thinkin/trendy-live-show-local-election-special/ Hosts: Professor John Curtice and Rachel Wolf Guest: Professor Tony Travers, director of LSE London To find out more about...

Apr 18, 202436 minEp. 234

Sensemaker: The Hull funeral home investigation

Families have been left with some difficult unanswered questions after Legacy Independent Funeral Directors was raided by police. What’s alleged to have happened? To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about ...

Apr 18, 20246 minEp. 233

Sensemaker: Angela Rayner’s high stakes pledge

A slowburn story has presented a moment of peril for Labour’s deputy leader, and perhaps Keir Starmer too. To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to h...

Apr 17, 20248 minEp. 232

Sensemaker: Iran attacks Israel: what happens next?

The Middle East is on the brink after Iran launched a huge drone and missile strike on Israel, the first time it has ever attacked the country directly. To understand more about how Israel’s prime minister thinks in moments like this you can listen to ‘The State of Netanyahu’ – a three part series from Tortoise’s Slow Newscast. Just search for ‘The State of Netanyahu’ wherever you get your podcasts or click this link: https://lnk.to/StateOfNetanyahu To find out more about Tortoise: - Download th...

Apr 16, 20246 minEp. 231

News Meeting: Why Iran attacked Israel and Trump’s hush money trial

What should lead the news? Three people pitch the story they think should lead the news to Tortoise’s deputy editor Giles Whittell. In this episode the team are joined by David Rhodes from Sky News to talk about Iran’s attack on Israel, police investigating Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner after she was accused of breaking electoral law, which she denies, and jury selection in Donald Trump’s first criminal trial. Book your ticket for the next News Meeting Live on 24th April by clicking here ...

Apr 15, 202437 minEp. 230

Sensemaker: A health warning from an esports star

Why Jaden Ashman, known online as Wolfiez, decided to speak out about the impact being a pro-gamer had on his health and what it could mean for the next generation of esports stars. To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with...

Apr 15, 20247 minEp. 229

News Meeting: Swiss women win landmark climate case and Zeinab Badawi on a year of war in Sudan

The journalist and president of SOAS pitches the story she thinks should lead the news and discusses her new book ‘ An African History of Africa’ . In this episode she’s joined by Tortoise editors Ceri Thomas and Jess Winch to also talk about how we deal with hate speech and the 2,000 Swiss women who took their government to court over its climate policies. Email: [email protected] Guests: Zeinab Badawi, journalist and author of An African History of Africa Jess Winch, news editor at...

Apr 12, 202437 minEp. 228

Sensemaker: Mr Bates at the Post Office inquiry

Former subpostmaster and campaigner Alan Bates has finally had his day in front of the Post Office inquiry that’s looking into the Horizon IT scandal. What did he say and what questions will this latest phase try to answer? To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings...

Apr 12, 20247 minEp. 227

Trendy: Local elections 2024: what to expect

Voters in England and Wales will elect councillors, mayors, London Assembly members and police and crime commissioners. What’s at stake? Is local democracy in Britain in good shape? And what can these elections tell us about the general election? Hosts: Professor John Curtice and Rachel Wolf To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become...

Apr 11, 202439 minEp. 226

Sensemaker: Instability AI

StabilityAI was once one of the world’s most-hyped startups. But now, former employees say it’s in a “death spiral”. What does the company’s apparent downfall tell us about the current state of AI? To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to g...

Apr 11, 20249 minEp. 225

Sensemaker: Why Republicans are blocking aid for Ukraine

For months, Republican lawmakers like Marjorie Taylor Greene have blocked a $60bn aid package for Ukraine. Why do they oppose it and what does it mean for Ukraine? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 10, 20246 minEp. 224

Sensemaker: Westminster’s honeytrap sext scandal

A Conservative MP is under growing pressure after giving his colleagues’ personal phone numbers to a stranger who targeted him in a spear-phishing attack. To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story,...

Apr 09, 20247 minEp. 223

News Meeting: Solar eclipse conspiracy theories and is Thames Water facing the end game?

What should lead the news? Three people pitch the story they think matters most to Tortoise’s deputy editor Giles Whittell. In this episode he’s joined by Bronwen Maddow, chief executive of Chatham House, who thinks it’s make your mind up time for the Israeli government in light of waning Western support for its war in Gaza.  Climate editor Jeevan Vasagar pitches Thames Water defaulting on its debt and Stephen Armstrong thinks the US conspiracy theories surrounding the solar eclipse should ...

Apr 08, 202430 minEp. 222

Sensemaker: Threat to life: the Iranian journalist stabbed in London

An Iranian journalist working for a TV news channel which is critical of Tehran has been stabbed. What does this attack tell us about the lengths Iran will go to to silence its critics?  To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in ...

Apr 08, 20248 minEp. 221

News Meeting: Aid worker deaths in Gaza and a Westminster honey trap

What should lead the news? Three people pitch the story they think matters most to Tortoise’s deputy editor Giles Whittell. Tortoise’s political editor Cat Neilan, climate editor Jeevan Vasagar and news editor Jess Winch discuss the World Central Kitchen workers killed in Gaza, shooting Botswana’s elephants and Conservative MP William Wragg’s involvement in a sext scandal.  Email: [email protected] Guests: Cat Neilan, political editor at Tortoise Jeevan Vasagar, climate editor a...

Apr 05, 202435 minEp. 220

Sensemaker: The aid workers killed in Gaza

There’s been international condemnation after seven aid workers were killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza. But will it change anything? To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more...

Apr 05, 20249 minEp. 219

Sensemaker: Bollywood gets political

As India’s election approaches, some Bollywood films are promoting the politics of the country’s prime minister. What does it tell us about Narendra Modi’s influence and his brand of Hindu nationalism? To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want ...

Apr 04, 20249 minEp. 218

Sensemaker: The truth about Trump’s Truth Social

Why you can now buy shares in Donald Trump’s social media platform – and what it means for the former president as he faces a series of legal and financial challenges ahead of November’s election. To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to ge...

Apr 03, 20249 minEp. 217

Sensemaker: Boeing, Boeing, gone

A safety crisis at Boeing has led to sweeping management changes. What went wrong – and will these changes be enough? To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories yo...

Apr 02, 20247 minEp. 216

News Meeting: Elizabeth Day on Baltimore bridge conspiracies and Trump’s Truth Social

The host of How To Fail joins the Tortoise team to pitch the story she thinks should lead the news and to talk about her book Friendaholic: Confessions of a Friendship Addict . In this episode, recorded in front of an audience in the Tortoise newsroom, they discuss dissatisfaction with the NHS, Trump’s financial woes and conspiracy theories surrounding the Baltimore bridge collapse.  Email: [email protected] Guests: Elizabeth Day, podcaster and author of Friendaholic: Confession...

Mar 29, 202446 minEp. 215

Trendy: How to fix the NHS

A new survey suggests the public’s satisfaction with the NHS is at a record low. What can the next government do to fix this? John and Rachel are joined by Julian le Grand, former senior policy advisor to Tony Blair specialising in health, who argues it’s time to bring back what he describes as "targets and terror" to the NHS. Guest: Julian le Grand, former senior policy advisor to Tony Blair specialising in health Hosts: Professor John Curtice and Rachel Wolf To find out more about Tortois...

Mar 28, 202441 minEp. 214

Sensemaker: When extreme sports turn deadly

Base jumping deaths are rising. When big companies sponsor athletes to jump off cliffs, who's responsible when things go wrong? To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about...

Mar 28, 20249 minEp. 213

Sensemaker: Who was behind the Moscow terror attack?

More than 130 people were killed in a shooting at a concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow last Friday. What do we know about the people behind it? To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or te...

Mar 27, 20248 minEp. 212
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android
Open in Metacast