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
16 snips
Jan 17, 2025 • 38min
How should the media handle Trump 2.0?
Mary Jordan and Kevin Sullivan, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, share crucial insights on how the media must adapt to a potential second Trump presidency. They discuss the lessons learned from past coverage and the ongoing struggle with misinformation. Katie Riley, Tortoise’s data editor, emphasizes the need for innovative business models in journalism. The conversation dives into the challenges of maintaining journalistic integrity, navigating political fear, and focusing on serious issues rather than sensationalism in a rapidly changing media landscape.
Jan 13, 2025 • 33min
The price of Shein’s fast fashion and what’s gone wrong for Rachel Reeves?
Join Cat Neilan, political editor at Tortoise, along with reporters Patricia Clarke and Stephen Armstrong, as they delve into Shein's alarming labor practices, discussing harsh working conditions and ethical quandaries for the fast fashion giant. They tackle the implications for the UK economy and whether Chancellor Rachel Reeves can navigate these turbulent waters. The conversation also shifts to Glasgow's innovative approaches to drug addiction, including the UK's first legal consumption room, sparking a broader discussion on public health challenges.
Jan 10, 2025 • 35min
Why is Mark Zuckerberg changing Meta’s policies and will the LA wildfires make California uninsurable?
Join Giles Whittell, Deputy Editor at Tortoise, as he unpacks the catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles and their implications for local communities and the insurance industry. Claudia Williams dives into Mark Zuckerberg's controversial decision to scrap Meta’s fact-checking processes, raising concerns about misinformation and political speech. Patricia Clarke brings to light the ethical dilemmas surrounding the potential fate of captive orcas, sparking a discussion about animal welfare and changing public perceptions.
Jan 6, 2025 • 31min
Blake Lively versus Justin Baldoni and Elon Musk muscles in on British politics
In this engaging discussion, guests Alexi Mostrous, an investigations editor at Tortoise known for his work on 'Who Trolled Amber', Jeevan Vasagar, a contributing editor focusing on business and economics, and Cat Neilan, the political editor, dive into controversies surrounding Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's allegations. They also tackle Elon Musk's influence on British politics and Biden's recent veto on a major deal, exploring how these stories reflect deeper societal issues and media dynamics.
Jan 6, 2025 • 8min
Sensemaker: Will 2025 be the breakthrough year for AI adoption?
The podcast dives into the mixed reality of AI in our lives, revealing the slow adoption despite Silicon Valley's hype. It explores groundbreaking developments like OpenAI's human-like voice technology while questioning why ChatGPT isn’t more widely used. The conversation draws parallels between past technology adoption, such as microwaves, and today's AI struggles. Additionally, it discusses Donald Trump's fluctuating stance on tech regulation, highlighting how different administrations shape the landscape of AI innovation.
8 snips
Jan 3, 2025 • 24min
News Meeting 2025 predictions: Will Trump and Musk stay friends and could AI help us talk to animals?
In this lively discussion, Cat Neilan, the Political Editor at Tortoise, dives into predictions for 2025, highlighting potential shifts in UK politics and leadership challenges. The conversation explores the intriguing notion of AI helping us communicate with pets, blending humor with tech speculation. They also touch on the future of journalism, advocating for innovative approaches in news reporting. Syria's hopes for reconciliation and local council reforms round out their predictions for a changing world.
Jan 3, 2025 • 6min
Sensemaker: Denmark's gold rush town
Explore the rise of Novo Nordisk in Denmark and its transformative weight-loss drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy. Delve into the impact of a single company's success on the local economy and potential pitfalls of corporate dominance. Discover the dual nature of growth in a flourishing town: job creation and economic upswing alongside troubling issues like childhood obesity and population decline. Witness the complex emotions of residents as they navigate this modern gold rush.
Jan 2, 2025 • 5min
Sensemaker: A hard year for King Charles
The King's first full year on the throne has been marked by his illness. Along with that of his daughter-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales. What does this year tell us about the state of the royal family?Writer: Xavier GreenwoodProducer: Xavier GreenwoodPhotography: Lola WilliamsExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 1, 2025 • 5min
Sensemaker: Joe Root – the greatest gets better
How England cricket’s greatest batter got even better in 2024.Writer: Andrew ButlerProducer: Katie GunningPhotography: Lola WilliamsExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 31, 2024 • 8min
Sensemaker: Nara Smith and the tradwife renaissance
The tradwife movement, led by influencers like Nara Smith, sparked intense online debate throughout 2024, particularly following Donald Trump's presidential election victory. What does it tell us about the year?Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Jess SwinburneHost: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
