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
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The ousting of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad has revealed the full scale of how he used the prison system to lock up, torture and execute his opponents. What do we now know about what went on? Producer: Eleanor Biggs Photography: Jon Jones Host: Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Tech billionaire Elon Musk and property tycoon Nick Candy have been named as considering multi-million-pound contributions, which could change the face of British politics forever. Reform could become the best-funded political party in the UK. Writer: Cat Neilan. Producer: Katie Gunning. Photography: Jon Jones. Executive producer: Rebecca Moore. To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoi...
France’s government has been toppled, making Michel Bernier the shortest serving prime minister in the history of the modern French Republic. What does it mean for France – and the rest of Europe? Writer: Claudia Williams Producer: Claudia Williams Photography: Jon Jones Executive producer: Rebecca Moore 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 ad-fr...
For more than half a century, the Assad family ruled Syria with brutality and repression. It took less than two weeks for rebels to bring that rule to an end. What does this mean for Syria and the region? Writer: Xavier Greenwood Producer: Xavier Greenwood Host: Claudia Williams Photography: Jon Jones Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Giles Whittell is joined by three guests pitching an angle on the toppling of the Syrian regime - the only story leading the news. Guests: Charlene White, Loose Women panellist Chloe Hadjimatheou, narrative editor at Tortoise Cat Neilan, political editor at Tortoise Host: Giles Whittell, deputy editor at Tortoise Email: [email protected] Producer: Eleanor Biggs Executive producer: Jasper Corbett To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - fo...
MPs voted in favour of proposals to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. The bill has many more stages to pass before it becomes law. So what happens next? Writer: Phoebe Davis Producer: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jess Winch is joined by three guests who bring a story they think should lead the news. They debate reports that Elon Musk may donate millions to Nigel Farage’s Reform, the collapse of France’s government and a scientific breakthrough that has the potential to reduce the energy required to store data. Guests: Patricia Clarke, technology reporter at Tortoise Chloe Hadjimatheou, narrative editor at Tortoise Cat Neilan, political editor at Tortoise Host: Jess Winch, news editor at...
The carmaker behind Fiat, Jeep, and Citroën says the closure of its Vauxhall factory in Luton is due to new zero-emission policies. But is that the full story? Writers: Barney Macintyre Producer: Matt Russell Host: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
In this season finale, Rachel and John look at some of the major trends shaping how we live today and those that are going to matter in the future. 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 tel...
In just 24 hours President Assad’s forces just “melted away” in Syria’s second biggest city. How did the rebels seize control and what might Assad do in response? Writer: Chloe Hadjimatheou Producer: Gary Marshall Host: Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore 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 ad-free content Become a member a...
A banana taped to the wall with duct tape sold at a Christie’s auction for $6.2 million to a cryptobillionaire. At the same auction, a Henri Matisse remained unsold. What does this sale tell us about the state of the art market? Writer: Jess Swinburne Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Vladimir Putin has threatened to deploy more Oreshnik missiles against Ukraine. He boasted that they’re equipped with multiple warheads and have destructive power comparable to a nuclear strike. Writer: Nina Kuryata Producer: Eleanor Biggs Host: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Giles Whittell is joined by three journalists, each competing for the top spot in today's news bulletin. They discuss Joe Biden issuing a ‘full and unconditional pardon’ of Hunter Biden, President Bashar al-Assad losing control of Aleppo and Ireland's general election. Guests: Jess Winch, Tortoise’s News Editor Katie Riley, Tortoise’s Data Editor Yasmeen Serhan, London-based correspondent for TIME Magazine Host: Giles Whittell, deputy editor at Tortoise Email: [email protected]...
Singer-songwriter Kate Nash has hit the headlines for starting an OnlyFans account to pay for her tour. She says that selling pictures of her butt online is the only way she can make money in an economic landscape that squeezes musicians. Writer: Eleanor Biggs Producer: Casey Magloire Photography: Joe Mee Host: Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscri...
Rebecca Moore and guests debate the top stories of the day and decide what should lead the news. They discuss the veterans demanding access to their missing military medical records, the financial structure of the music industry and why the UK is so ill prepared for flooding. Guests: Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester Dave Haslam, Hacienda DJ, author and journalist Dr Anita Sethi, journalist and author of the award winning book I Belong Here: a Journey Along the Backbone of Britain Host: ...
The House of Lords rarely gets much scrutiny, either by the media or the public. A team of Tortoise journalists has put a spotlight on the UK’s second chamber and asks whether some of its members are working for us or themselves? Writer: Cat Neilan Producer: Katie Gunning Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Jasper Corbett To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podc...
Rachel and John are joined by James Kanagasooriam to discuss the trends that explain the attitudes, values and voting patterns of Britain’s ethnic minorities. Guests: James Kanagasooriam, chief researcher at Focaldata 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 off...
Gynaecology waiting lists are at a record high in England and Wales, with over three-quarters of a million people waiting to be treated. How did it get this bad? Writer: Phoebe Davis Producer: Patricia Clarke Episode photography: Jon Jones Executive producer: Rebecca Moore 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 ad-free content Become a member  ...
30 million people have signed up to use Replika, “the AI companion who cares”. The chatbot can text you, flirt with you, and promises to love you unconditionally. But what are the risks that come with loving an AI? This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center. Writer and producer: Patricia Clarke Episode photography: Jon Jones Executive producer: Rebecca Moore To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to ...
For nearly two months, the Israeli army has encircled cities in the north of the Gaza Strip. Experts warn Israeli settlements could be established there within the next few weeks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Basia Cummings and guests debate the top stories of the day and decide what should lead the news. They discuss Donald Trump’s latest controversial cabinet nomination, the backlash against Bob Geldolf’s Christmas hit and the growing concerns about shadow banking. Guests: Lindiwe Mazibuko, former opposition leader in South Africa and co-founder of Futurelect Giles Whittell, deputy editor at Tortoise Chloe Hadjimatheou, narrative editor at Tortoise Host: Basia Cummings Email...
A proposed new bill has prompted one of New Zealand’s biggest protests of all time. Why is it so controversial? And what does it seek to change? Writer and producer: Claudia Williams Episode photography: Jon Jones Executive producer: Jasper Corbett 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 ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of...
Giles Whittell and guests debate what should lead the news. They discuss the farmers’ protest over inheritance tax, why newsrooms are ignoring Afghanistan at their peril and the transgender bathroom row in the US Capitol. Long description: Giles Whittell and guests debate what should lead the news. They discuss the farmers’ protest over inheritance tax, why newsrooms are ignoring Afghanistan at their peril and the transgender bathroom row in the US Capito l Guests: Saad Mohseni, Chie...
In the wake of the US election result, why are some American women joining a radical feminist movement that started in South Korea? 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 ad-free 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 m...
Are we getting healthier? John Curtice and Rachel Wolf discuss the long term trends impacting the nation’s health with Neil Ferguson. Guests: Neil Ferguson, Director of the School of Public Health at Imperial College London 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 premi...
The UK was one of the first countries to adopt 5G but now it has one of the worst networks in the world. Why is it so difficult to get a decent phone signal in Britain? Writer : Sophie Fenton Producer : Tomini Babs Host : Claudia Williams Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore 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 ad-free content Become a member ...
While national debate raged in Spain over who should be held accountable for the deadliest floods in decades, heavy rainfall flooded parts of Southern Italy. Extreme floods are likely to increase as a consequence of climate change: is Europe ready to deal with them? Writer : Serena Cesareo Producer : Casey Magloire Host : Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Robert F. Kennedy Jr has a long record of criticising vaccines and spreading medical misinformation. President-elect Donald Trump has chosen him to be the secretary of Health and Human Service in his upcoming administration. To listen to Basia’s interview with RFK Jr click here: https://www.tortoisemedia.com/audio/what-the-rfk-jr/ Writer: Rebecca Moore with additional reporting from Alexi Mostrous. Producer: Claudia Williams Host: Claudia Williams Photography: Joe Mee Ex...
Basia Cummings and guests debate what should lead the news. They discuss President Biden’s decision to let Ukraine use long range missile against Russia, reports about Elon Musk’s latest foreign intervention and Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees. Guests: Sanam Anderlini MBE, founder and CEO of International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) and host of the If You Were In Charge podcast. Jess Winch, Tortoise’s News Editor Katie Riley, Tortoise’s Data Editor Host: Basia Cummings ...
An emperor penguin has turned up on a surfers beach in southwestern Australia, more than 2000 miles away from its natural habitat in the Antarctic. How did it end up so far off course? Writer and producer: Claudia Williams Episode photography: Jon Jones Executive producer: Rebecca Moore With thanks to Jazz Bailey for her videos. To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podc...
