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The News Meeting

The News Meeting

By: The Observer
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About this listen

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 newsmeeting@tortoisemedia.com


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 hello@tortoisemedia.com

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

Tortoise
Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • What’s the point of Labour’s new plan for immigration?
    Sep 29 2025

    Will the US ban a safe and legal abortion pill? Is the Met Police full of Freemasons? Can Labour take control of the narrative on immigration?


    Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer’s Francisco Garcia, Serena Cesareo and Phoebe Davis as they pitch their top story of the day.


    Find the team’s Must Reads here:

    • The Art of the Impersonal Essay
    • Softly As I Leave You
    • We Have Notes



    **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk


    Follow us on Social Media:

    • @ObserverUK on X
    • @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok
    • @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky


    Host: Rebecca Moore


    Producer: Poppy Bullard


    Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett and Matt Russell


    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


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

    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • Why are top comedians performing at a comedy festival in Saudi Arabia?
    Sep 25 2025

    This weekend marks the first-ever Riyadh Comedy Festival, with Jimmy Carr, Aziz Ansari, and Dave Chappelle on the bill. It’s being reported they are each being paid upwards of $375,000 to perform in a country which severely restricts freedom of speech. What does Trump’s cryptic “good luck to all” at the UN really mean for Ukraine - and should we be worried? Is the breakthrough on Huntington’s disease The News Meeting’s first genuinely good news story?


    Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer’s International Editor, Steve Bloomfield, and reporters Rachael Healy and James Tapper as they pitch the top story of the day


    ** Listen to The Observer’s new culture podcast We Have Notes HERE


    **Join us at the next News Meeting Live HERE


    Follow us on Social Media:

    • @ObserverUK on X
    • @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok
    • @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky


    Host: Giles Whittell, Deputy Editor-In-Chief


    Producer: Amalie Sortland


    Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore


    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

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

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • Why did Donald Trump falsely claim paracetamol causes autism?
    Sep 24 2025

    This week the President made the erroneous link between pregnant women taking paracetamol to autism. What happens now that trust in basic pain relief is shaken? Has Reform miscalculated with its climate-skeptical stance? And Nike has teamed up with Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS - but is their new campaign crossing the line by sexualising female athletes?


    Giles Whittell is joined by journalist and author David Aaronovitch, the Observer’s National News Editor Claudia Williams and reporter Jon Ungoed-Thomas as they pitch the top story of the day


    ** Listen to The Observer’s new culture podcast We Have Notes HERE


    **Join us at the next News Meeting Live HERE


    Follow us on Social Media:

    • @ObserverUK on X
    • @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok
    • @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky


    Host: Giles Whittell, Deputy Editor-In-Chief


    Producer: Poppy Bullard


    Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore



    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 hello@tortoisemedia.com



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

    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
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