

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 MagloireSubscribe to The Observer today and get access to:Our podcasts before anyone elseA daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a weekPuzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crosswordRecipes for every occasionFree tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or onlineClick here to subscribe today for just £1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 8, 2024 • 41min
News Meeting: The Joe Biden problem and should the Post Office scandal be leading the news?
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 he’s joined by deputy editor Giles Whittell, reporter Chloe Hadjimatheou and Katy Searle, former executive editor of BBC Westminster.They discuss whether the Post Office scandal should be leading the news after an ITV drama put it back in the headlines, whether Joe Biden should be the Democratic presidential candidate and a senior police leader who says policing is ‘institutionally racist’.What do you think should lead the news? Email your stories to newsmeeting@tortoisemedia.com.The producer was Imy Harper and the executive producer was Lewis Vickers.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.

Jan 8, 2024 • 6min
Sensemaker: General Calamity
With a year under his belt as prime minister, Rishi Sunak has less than 12 months to go before he has to call a general election. What sort of campaign can we expect?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.

Jan 5, 2024 • 8min
Sensemaker: Artemis II: sending humans back to the moon
This year, NASA's Artemis II is due to carry a four-person crew to orbit the moon. If all goes to plan it’ll make history, but what's the mission’s ultimate aim?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.

Jan 4, 2024 • 6min
Sensemaker: Disney’s Mickey Mouse problem
2023 wasn’t Disney’s dream 100th anniversary year and far worse problems could be on the horizon. Not only does it have a weak slate for 2024, but the copyright on a version of Mickey Mouse expires.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.

Jan 3, 2024 • 9min
Sensemaker: The Kamala Harris question
US Vice President Kamala Harris looks like she’ll be Joe Biden’s running mate again. But after three years in office, do voters think she’s the right choice?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.

Jan 2, 2024 • 6min
Sensemaker: Jude Bellingham: England’s golden boy
The young midfielder has had a record-breaking start to his career at Real Madrid. Could he help the England men’s team end their long wait for a major trophy?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.

Jan 1, 2024 • 38min
News Meeting: 2024 predictions
What might happen this year? James Harding is joined by Tortoise editors and reporters to make some predictions.The producer was Lewis Vickers.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.

Dec 29, 2023 • 28min
News Meeting: Robert Peston on why politicians need to get a grip of AI
James Harding sits down with ITV political editor Robert Peston to discuss his new book ‘Bust?: Saving the economy, democracy and our sanity’.This episode was recorded in front of an audience at The Tabernacle in Notting Hill in association with Intelligence Squared.The producer was Rebecca Moore and the executive producer was Lewis Vickers. 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.

Dec 29, 2023 • 9min
Sensemaker: How Dan Wootton became the story
In 2023 the outspoken king of celebrity gossip put GB News in a tight spot. What does its response tell us about the UK’s new media landscape?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.

Dec 28, 2023 • 9min
Sensemaker: Sam Altman: who is the OpenAI boss?
The firing – and immediate rehiring – of OpenAI’s CEO rocked Silicon Valley this year. But what does Sam Altman’s story tell us about the fears around artificial intelligence?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.


