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

Trendy: Was school better in your day?

John and Rachel discuss how schooling has changed from the 1960s until now. Who goes to school? Who runs them? And are school-leavers better at maths now than their predecessors?  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 a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio of...

May 16, 202441 minEp. 271

Sensemaker: The Church tackles climate change

A Christian charity has encouraged nearly all of the country's Churches to take a vital step in tackling climate change after ten years of campaigning. 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...

May 16, 20248 minEp. 270

Sensemaker: Drake vs Kendrick

What does rap’s latest beef tell us about the changing nature of hip-hop feuds? 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 hear about contact hello@tor...

May 15, 20247 minEp. 269

Word for word: Trump on trial – episode 2

Donald Trump is the first former US president to face a criminal trial. He is accused of falsifying business records by saying a hush money payment to a porn star was for legal fees. He's facing 34 counts of fraud under campaign finance laws, and has pleaded not guilty to all of them. The trial, which is expected to last eight weeks, is being held in a New York court and Donald Trump has to appear for every day.  In each episode, we’re bringing you the story of the trial, told using the tra...

May 14, 202445 minEp. 268

Word for word: Trump on trial

Donald Trump is the first former US president to face a criminal trial. He is accused of falsifying business records by saying a hush money payment to a porn star was for legal fees. He's facing 34 counts of fraud under campaign finance laws, and has pleaded not guilty to all of them. The trial, which is expected to last eight weeks, is being held in a New York court and Donald Trump has to appear for every day.  In a special one-off, we will be sharing our new series Word for Word: Trump o...

May 14, 202438 minEp. 267

Sensemaker: What’s left of Hamas in Gaza?

As Israel steps up operations in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, what remains of the militant group that it’s trying to wipe out? 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 th...

May 14, 20246 minEp. 266

News Meeting: Russian advances and Drake versus Kendrick Lamar

James Harding and three guests debate what they think should lead the news. In this episode he’s joined by businesswoman and campaigner Gina Miller, Tortoise’s deputy editor Giles Whittell and reporter Stephen Armstrong.  Email: [email protected] Guests: Gina Miller, businesswoman and campaigner Giles Whittell, Tortoise’s deputy editor Stephen Armstrong, Tortoise reporter Host: James Harding, founder and editor of Tortoise Producers: Rebecca Moore and Casey Magloire Executive pr...

May 13, 202433 minEp. 265

Sensemaker: My life as a prison officer

Last year, almost one in seven prison officers left. What's the state of Britain's prisons, and why does nobody want to work in them? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 13, 20249 minEp. 264

Editor's Voicemail: Why newsrooms matter

James Harding makes the case for why newsrooms should be places a home for challenging questions, heretics and contrarians.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 10, 20244 minEp. 263

News Meeting: Stormy Daniels testifies and gay rights in Ghana

James Harding and three guests debate what they think should lead the news. In this episode he’s joined by psychotherapist and author Julia Samuel, Tortoise news editor Jess Winch and climate editor Jeevan Vasagar. Email: [email protected] Guests: Julia Samuel, psychotherapist and author  Jess Winch, news editor at Tortoise Jeevan Vasagar, climate editor at Tortoise Host: James Harding, founder and editor of Tortoise Producers: Rebecca Moore and Casey Magloire Executive producer...

May 10, 202441 minEp. 262

Sensemaker: Bumble changes course

The dating app Bumble ditched its requirement for women to write the first message. What does the change in tack tell us about the business of modern dating?  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...

May 10, 20248 minEp. 261

Trendy Live: The fallout from the local elections

John Curtice and Rachel Wolf discuss the fallout from the local elections results and work out what this could mean for the major parties in a 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 a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If ...

May 09, 202443 minEp. 260

Sensemaker: Chaos at Co-op Live

Olivia Rodrigo, Take That and Keane are among the artists to have gigs cancelled after the opening of Manchester's new arena, Co-op Live, was postponed multiple times. What's causing the delay? 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 i...

May 09, 20247 minEp. 259

Sensemaker: The inquiry into alleged SAS war crimes

Public hearings into the alleged war crimes committed by British special forces during the war in Afghanistan have been delayed by several months after the Ministry of Defence repeatedly failed to meet its deadlines. 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 mo...

May 08, 20247 minEp. 258

Sensemaker: Toomaj Salehi: the rapper sentenced to death for criticising the Iranian regime

A rapper faces execution after criticising the Iranian regime in his lyrics. What does his death sentence tell us about the strength – or weakness – of the Islamic Republic? 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 wi...

May 07, 20246 minEp. 257

The News Meeting: Has Europe weaned itself off Russian oil?

Columnist Phil Collins joins James Harding and the Tortoise team to tell them what he thinks should lead the news. Plus, Kevin Sullivan and Mary Jordan have their latest Postcard from America. This week they discuss the life and career of former US President Jimmy Carter. Email: [email protected] Guests: Phil Collins, Times Columnist and The Draft Founder Giles Whittell, deputy editor at Tortoise Cat Neilan, political editor at Tortoise Host: James Harding, founder and editor of Tort...

May 03, 202447 minEp. 256

Editor's Voicemail: The joy of journalism

Why being a journalist and asking questions can be such a privilege and a joy.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 03, 20246 minEp. 255

Sensemaker: The Caitlin Clark Effect

Record breaking college basketball star Caitlin Clark is set to make her professional debut. What impact has she had on the sport and could her success help close the pay gap between male and female players? 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...

May 03, 20247 minEp. 254

Trendy: King and country

Just over half of the British public now think the monarchy is ‘very’ or ‘quite’ important. That’s according to new data published by the British Social Attitudes survey which suggests that support for the monarchy has been in decline over the last decade. John and Rachel discuss why this is happening.  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: Pr...

May 02, 202437 minEp. 253

Sensemaker: No-fault evictions: how the Renters Reform Bill was watered down

Five years ago the government said it would reform the private rental market, but charities that once backed the Renters Reform Bill have now turned against 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 ...

May 02, 20247 minEp. 252

Sensemaker: Humza Yousaf’s unforced error

Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf has resigned after just over a year, throwing the country - and its minority SNP government - into turmoil. What does this mean for the party which has governed Scotland for nearly two decades? 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 ...

May 01, 202410 minEp. 251

Sensemaker: Hersh Goldberg-Polin and the other hostages still in Gaza

In recent days Hamas has released videos of several hostages being held in Gaza. In each case it was the first time their families had seen them alive since they were taken during the October 7th attack. Why might Hamas be releasing the videos now? 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'...

Apr 30, 20246 minEp. 250

News Meeting: Humza Yousaf resigns as Scotland’s first minister and Macron’s warning

James Harding and three guests debate what they think should lead the news. In this episode he’s joined by Bronwen Maddox, director and chief executive of Chatham House, Tortoise deputy editor Giles Whittell and political editor Cat Neilan. Email: [email protected] Guests: Bronwen Maddox, director and chief executive of Chatham House Giles Whittell, deputy editor at Tortoise Cat Neilan, political editor at Tortoise Host: James Harding, founder and editor of Tortoise Producers: Rebecc...

Apr 29, 202433 minEp. 249

Sensemaker: Trump’s first week in court

What happened when Donald Trump’s old friend took to the stand at the former president’s criminal trial in New York. 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...

Apr 29, 20247 minEp. 248

Editor's Voicemail: A new age of rearmament

In the past week there have been a couple of dramatic announcements on military spending, but it has actually increased every year since 2014. In his Editor's Voicemail James explains why this gradual military build-up amounts to a step change, and asks what it might mean for the world. 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 me...

Apr 26, 20246 minEp. 247

The News Meeting: India’s election and why pupils in England are facing their worst exam results in decades

David Aaronovitch and the Tortoise team debate what should lead the news in front of an audience in the newsroom. They discuss the scale of India’s election, failures to tackle the academic and social legacies of school closures during Covid, and what was happening in Iran on the day it attacked Israel. Email: [email protected] Guests: David Aaronovitch, journalist, broadcaster and host of ‘Eight Year’s Hard Labour ’ Jess Winch, news editor at Tortoise Stephen Armstrong, reporter at ...

Apr 26, 202442 minEp. 246

Sensemaker: Grindr sued

The world's biggest dating app for the LGBT community is accused of sharing personal information such as people's HIV status with third parties. 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 u...

Apr 26, 20248 minEp. 245

Trendy: Dating, love and marriage

Nearly two-thirds of under 35s have used a dating app or online service to meet a partner. That’s according to an exclusive poll for Trendy. However, opinion is split about whether online dating is a positive or negative experience. How has how we find a partner changed and what does it mean for long term relationships?  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: ...

Apr 25, 202439 minEp. 244

Sensemaker: Rwanda policy: What difference will it make?

Rishi Sunak has finally passed his Rwanda bill after the House of Lords dropped its opposition. But two-thirds of voters think the country is on the wrong track, so is it a distraction from the bigger issues Britain faces and will it actually stop the boats? 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...

Apr 25, 20247 minEp. 243

News Meeting: Brexit, austerity and how Labour could fix Britain

In the nineties Will Hutton wrote about the role of government and the free market post-Thatcher. Now, after more than a decade of Conservative-led government, he’s written a new book called ‘This Time No Mistakes’. In this bonus episode he tells James how it might influence Labour’s thinking on issues like Britain’s relationship with the EU and economic reform. Email: [email protected] Guest: Will Hutton, former editor of the Observer and author of This Time No Mistakes: How To Rema...

Apr 24, 202437 minEp. 242
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