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.
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.
Two Jewish people were killed in a terrorist attack at a Manchester synagogue. Did President Trump and Pete Hegseth cross the line with their inflammatory speeches to military generals? And what’s behind the surge in profits at soft toy maker Jellycat?
Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer’s Erica Wagner, John Simpson and Sam Freedman, as they pitch their top story of the day.
**We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk
Follow us on Social Media:
Host: Giles Whittell
Producer: Casey Magloire
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.
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:
**We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk
Follow us on Social Media:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
Could Tiktok become MAGA-tok? What are the implications of recognising a Palestinian state? Should Rwanda be hosting an international cycling competition?
Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer’s Stephen Armstrong, Bex Sander and Serena Cesareo as they pitch their top stories of the day.
Find the team’s Must Reads here:
**Join us at the News Meeting Live on Tuesday 23rd September at 6:30pm**
Rebecca Moore will be joined by David Aaronovitch, Claudia Williams and Jon Ungoed-Thomas.
Get your tickets → HERE
**We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk
Follow us on Social Media:
Host: Rebecca Moore
Producer: Poppy Bullard
Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett
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.
What did we learn from Donald Trump and Keir Starmer’s press conference? Why is Israel invading Gaza City? What does the suspension of the Jimmy Kimmel show tell us about press freedom in America?
Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer’s Erica Wagner, Steve Bloomfield and Rachel Sylvester as they try and pitch the top stories of the day.
**Join us at the News Meeting Live on Tuesday 23rd September at 6:30pm**
Rebecca Moore will be joined by David Aaronovitch, Claudia Williams and Jon Ungoed-Thomas.
Get your tickets → HERE
**We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk
Follow us on Social Media:
Host: Rebecca Moore
Producer: Poppy Bullard
Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett
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.
With young people in Nepal using social media sites like Discord to organise protests, are we witnessing the South Asian Spring? How influential is Elon Musk in British politics following his message to the Unite the Kingdom protestors? And how did the Assad regime systematically steal hundreds of children from their families?
Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer’s Patricia Clarke, Chloe Hadjimatheou and Stephen Armstrong, as they each try to pitch the top story of the day.
**Join us at the News Meeting Live on Tuesday 23rd September at 6:30pm**
Giles Whittell will be joined by David Aaronvitch, Claudia Williams and Jon Ungoed-Thomas.
Get your tickets → HERE
Find the team’s must reads here:
Read more on today’s stories:
**We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk
Follow us on Social Media:
Host: Giles Whittell
Producer: Casey Magloire
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.
What does the sacking of Peter Mandelson mean for Keir Starmer? Does Vladimir Putin want war with NATO? Is the UK at risk of an uptick in political violence?
Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer’s Jessica Hayden, Katie Gunning and Bernard Gray as they each try to pitch the top story of the day.
Find the team’s must reads:
**Join us at the News Meeting Live on Tuesday 23rd September at 6:30pm**
Rebecca Moore will be joined by David Aaronovitch, Claudia Williams and Jon Ungoed-Thomas.
Get your tickets → HERE
**We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk
Follow us on Social Media:
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.
Why can’t the French government pass a budget? Who will win in the fight for the soul of the Labour Party? Why do pensioners keep being arrested?
Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer’s Tom Gatti and Serna Cesareo, as well as the journalist and author Charlie Brinkhurst Cuff, as they each try to pitch the top story of the day.
Find the team’s must reads:l
**Join us at the News Meeting Live on Tuesday 23rd September at 6:30pm**
Rebecca Moore will be joined by David Aaronvitch, Claudia Williams and Jon Ungoed-Thomas.
Get your tickets → HERE
**We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk
Follow us on Social Media:
Host: Giles Whittell
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.
Will revelations about Angela Rayner’s taxes be the end of her political career? How will Melvyn Bragg’s exit from In Our Time impact the iconic show? Why did Nigel Farage compare the UK to North Korea in his plea to US politicians?
Giles Whittell is joined by the Observer’s Cat Neilan, Paul Hayward and Alex O’Connell as they each try to pitch the top story of the day.
Must Reads:
**Join us at the News Meeting Live on Tuesday 23rd September at 6:30pm**
Rebecca Moore will be joined by David Aaronvitch, Claudia Williams and Jon Ungoed-Thomas.
Get your tickets → HERE
**We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk
Follow us on Social Media:
Host: Giles Whittell
Producer: Casey Magloire and Amalie Sortland
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.
Will Afghanistan get the aid it needs? Is China the new America when it comes to globalisation? Could a lawsuit from a dark corner of the internet affect the Online Safety Act?
Rebecca Moore is joined by Observer reporters Stephen Armstrong, Phoebe Davis and Bex Sander as they pitch their stop stories of the day.
Links to the team’s Must Reads and recommendations here:
**We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk
Follow us on Social Media:
Host: Rebecca Moore, Executive Producer
Producer: Poppy Bullard
Executive Producer: Matt Russell, Deputy Head of Audio
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.
Will SpaceX’s latest triumph mean Elon Musk will make it to Mars? Why will the price of Mounjaro weightless drugs go up? Benjamin Netanyahu called the IDF’s airstrike on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital a “tragic misstep" but so far 240 Palestinian journalists have died since the beginning of the conflict.
Giles Whittell is joined by the Observer’s International Editor, Steve Bloomfield, our Acting National News Editor, Rebecca Myers and reporter, James Tapper, as each try to pitch the top story of the day.
Links to the team’s Must Reads and recommendations here:
**We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk
Follow us on Social Media:
Host: Giles Whittell
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.
An Essex council has been granted a High Court injunction to stop a local hotel from housing asylum seekers. What is behind the massive growth of Women’s Rugby and support for the Red Roses? Will a tax on tourists help boost local economies and support the arts?
Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer’s Ceri Thomas, Vanessa Thorpe and Jessica Hayden, as each try to pitch the top story of the day.
Read more on today’s stories here:
**We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk
Follow us on Social Media:
Host: Giles Whittell, Deputy Editor-In-Chief
Producers: Casey Magloire
Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore, Executive Producer
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.
Will Zelensky find any success with Trump, in the wake of the Alaska Summit? What does the militarisation of Washington DC tell us about America’s political direction? And why are MPs making TikToks?
Rebecca Moore is joined by the Financial Times’ Working It Editor Isabel Berwick, Plus The
Observer’s Katie Riley and Stephen Armstrong, as each try to pitch the top story of the day.
Links to the team’s Must Reads and recommendations here:
**We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk
Follow us on Social Media:
Host: Rebecca Moore, Executive Producer
Producers: Casey Magloire
Executive Producer: 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.
Will facial recognition technology change law enforcement forever? JD Vance has been wooing his British political allies in the Cotswolds, but will a new think-tank deepen US influence in right wing politics? Is the government at risk of losing public support after the Palestine Action arrests?
Giles Whittell is joined by the Observer’s Whitehall Editor Cat Neilan, News Reporter Jon Ungoed Thomas and Consulting Editor for Comment, Erica Wagner.
Links to the team’s Must Reads and recommendations here:
**We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk
Follow us on Social Media:
Host: Giles Whittell, Deputy Editor-In-Chief
Producers: Amalie Sortland and Poppy Bullard
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.
What proof has Israel provided to support their claim that Anas al Sharif ran a Hamas cell in Gaza? Why has the partnership between Premier League Football and Stonewall ended? And will Putin’s visit to the US bring an end to the war in Ukraine?
Giles Whittell is joined by NPR’s International Correspondent, Lauren Frayer. Plus the Observer’s Serena Cesareo and Jessy Parker Humphreys, as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day.
Links to the team’s Must Reads and recommendations here:
More from Lauren’s NPR colleague Anas Baba reporting from Gaza
**We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk
Follow us on Social Media:
Host: Giles Whittell, Deputy Editor-In-Chief
Producer: Casey Magloire
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.
Is it wrong for the government to ask police to release information on the ethnicity and immigration status of crime suspects? As countries gather for the UN plastics summit, just how much of our lives are contaminated by plastic? Who is the YouTuber behind the misinformation campaign targeting France’s First Lady?
Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer’s Political Editor Rachel Sylvester, reporter Phoebe Davis and reporter James Tapper.
Links to the team’s Must Reads here:
Listen to Rachel’s series The Lab Detective HERE
Follow us on Social Media:
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.
As the UK Parliament takes its summer break, has Reform seized the media spotlight and emerged as a viable third-party contender? What are the risks of uploading ID to age-restricted websites under the Online Safety Act? Will Trump impose his peace deal deadline on Russia if Putin refuses negotiations?
Rebecca Moore is joined by The New Statesman’s Associate Political Editor, Rachel Cunliffe. Plus the Observer’s Poppy Bullard and Patricia Clarke, as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day.
Links to the team’s Must Reads and recommendations here:
We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk
Follow us on Social Media:
Host: Rebecca Moore, Executive Producer
Producer: Casey Magloire
Executive Producer: 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.
Are male novelists a dying breed? Can women trust apps with their personal data? Are tariffs the only way Donald Trump knows how to do diplomacy?
Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer’s Home Affairs Editor John Simpson, Head of Data and Graphics Katie Riley and Consulting Editor for Comment, Erica Wagner.
Links to the team’s Must Reads here:
Read Erica’s piece on the Booker Prize longlist HERE
Follow us on Social Media:
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.
Is the UK’s decision to conditionally recognise the state of Palestine more symbolic than practical? As protests in Epping continue, how is rhetoric around asylum seekers impacting children from ethnic minority backgrounds? Now that the Lionesses have won the Euros for a second time, is this confirmation that the hard work put into the women’s game has paid off?
Giles Whittell is joined by ITV News Presenter and Loose Women panellist Charlene White. Plus, the Observer’s narrative editor Chloe Hadjimatheou and Deputy Sports Editor, Andrew Butler.
**Join us at the next News Meeting Live HERE
Dive deeper into all the stories from this episode:
Follow us on Social Media:
Host: Giles Whittell, Deputy Editor-In-Chief
Producer: Casey Magloire
Executive Producer: Matt Russell, Deputy Head of Audio and Rebecca Moore, Executive producer
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.
