

The News Meeting
The Observer
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 MooreProducer: Casey MagloireTo find out more about The Observer:Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentHead to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalistsIf 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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 1, 2024 • 48min
News Meeting: The Couzens report, America’s airports and Taylor Swift’s political power
What should lead the news? Three people pitch the story they think matters most to Tortoise’s editor-in-chief James Harding.In this episode James Harding is joined by Mary Jordan and Kevin Sullivan, a Pulitzer Prize-winning husband and wife reporting team, who are joining Tortoise to write a regular letter from America.Email: newsmeeting@tortoisemedia.comListen to Who Trolled Amber here: https://podfollow.com/tortoise-investigates Guests:Mary Jordan and Kevin Sullivan, award-winning correspondentsJeevan Vasagar, climate editor at TortoiseHost: James Harding, editor-in-chief at TortoiseProducer: Lewis VickersTo 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 moreIf 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.

Mar 1, 2024 • 8min
Sensemaker: A spike in spiking?
A recent report suggested there was a “hidden epidemic” of spiking in the UK, but the data is complicated and often misunderstood. What’s really going on?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 moreIf 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.

Feb 29, 2024 • 33min
Trendy: The race for the White House
The US presidential election is shaping up to be a repeat of 2020: Joe Biden vs Donald Trump. How does America choose its candidates and what’s likely to happen in 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 moreIf 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.

Feb 29, 2024 • 7min
Sensemaker: How to hack the hackers
Last week the world’s largest ransomware gang was taken over in an extensive, international police operation. What does the infiltration of LockBit tell us about the fight against cyber crime?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 moreIf 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.

Feb 28, 2024 • 27min
News Meeting: Chris Anderson on why the internet is making us meaner
Chris Anderson discusses the impact of AI on human nature, importance of kindness in online behavior. The podcast explores promoting positivity, reflective thinking, and viral kindness on social media. It delves into the significance of human traits beyond politics, emphasizing a hopeful future.

Feb 28, 2024 • 9min
Sensemaker: How Birmingham went bust
People living in Birmingham are paying more for less after the city council effectively declared itself bankrupt.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 moreIf 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.

Feb 27, 2024 • 9min
Sensemaker: When egg freezing goes wrong
A hospital in London has told more than 130 patients that their eggs and embryos might have accidentally been damaged. What does this incident tell us about the UK’s fertility services?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 moreIf 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.

Feb 26, 2024 • 38min
News Meeting: Sudan’s forgotten war and Britain’s drink spiking epidemic
What should lead the news? Chris Anderson, head of TED and author of Infectious Generosity, pitches his story to Tortoise’s editor-in-chief James Harding.The team discusses the Sunday Times’ investigation into drink spiking, the ongoing war in Sudan and why we’re wired to focus on bad news stories. To book your place for The News Meeting Live with Elizabeth Day visit: https://www.tortoisemedia.com/thinkin/the-news-meeting-live-with-elizabeth-day/ Email: newsmeeting@tortoisemedia.comGuests:Chris Anderson, head of TED and author of Infectious GenerosityJess Winch, news editor at TortoiseStephen Armstrong, reporter at TortoiseHost: James Harding, editor-in-chief at TortoiseProducer: Rebecca MooreExecutive producer: Lewis VickersTo 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 moreIf 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.

Feb 26, 2024 • 9min
Sensemaker: The case against Julian Assange
British judges are deciding whether the founder of WikiLeaks should be allowed to appeal his extradition to the United States. What is he accused of doing?To find out more about Tortoise:Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalistsSubscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentBecome a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and moreIf 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.

Feb 23, 2024 • 40min
News Meeting: Investigating a failing children’s prison and a nuclear missile misfires
What should lead the news? Three people pitch the story they think matters most to Tortoise’s editor-in-chief James Harding.In this episode the team are joined by Lord Bird, co-founder of the Big Issue, and an audience in the newsroom. Louise Tickle talks about her investigation into failing young offenders institution Cookham Wood and John reflects on his time in prison as a youngster 60 years ago. They also discuss Britain's Trident nuclear-deterrent system misfiring during a test and John’s poverty prevention plan. Plus, James introduces his editor’s voicemail.Email: newsmeeting@tortoisemedia.comGuests:Lord Bird, co-founder of The Big IssueGiles Whittell, deputy editor at TortoiseLouise Tickle, reporter at TortoiseHost: James Harding, editor-in-chief at TortoiseProducer: Rebecca MooreExecutive producer: Lewis VickersTo 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 moreIf 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.