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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 Moore

Producer: Casey Magloire

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#732
October 22 · 32 min
How safe is your internet?
Will Chancellor John Healey play it safe in next week’s budget? Who’s responsible for the decline of Manchester United? What does the cyber-security flaw within PHP tell us about the future of internet safety? Jeevan Vasagar is joined by Ben Zaranko, the Observer’s Economics Editor, Jessy Parker Humphreys, Sports Reporter, and Poppy Bullard, Audio Producer, to battle it out for the top story of the day. **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: Jeevan Vasagar 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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our jo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#731
October 15 · 33 min
How can the media report on the Russell Brand trial?
With the media fanfare surrounding Russell Brand’s trial, how can jurors be kept away from prejudicial information? What does US control over Ukraine’s defence technology mean for the war, and wider security in Europe? And will the recent revelations about Reform’s councillors racist remarks actually affect support for the party? Jeevan Vasagar is joined by The Observer’s Stephen Armstrong, Social Media Editor, Caitlin Macdonald and Whitehall Editor Cat Neilan as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day. **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: Jeevan Vasagar Producer: Ada Barumé 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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#730
October 8 · 32 min
Why did Andrew M-W win his legal claim against the police?
Can Gen Z protesters in France bring about political change? With the enormous financial pull of the tech industry, can Hollywood blockbusters like Artificial and The Social Reckoning meaningfully critique tech billionaires anymore? And how did Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor win his legal claim against the police? Jeevan Vasagar is joined by The Observer reporters Hannah Schuller, Marine Saint and Jon Ungoed-Thomas as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day. **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: Jeevan Vasagar Producer: Amalie Sortland 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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#729
October 1 · 32 min
Could the plane stabbing affect Israel’s upcoming election?
What next for Manchester City after the Premier League club was found guilty of serious financial-rule breaches? And if the Crown Prosecution Service brings charges over the fatal 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, what could that mean for future corporate manslaughter cases? Could the stabbing on the Israel-bound flight affect Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chances in the upcoming late October election? Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer’s Stephen Armstrong, Chloe Hadjimatheou and Jonathan Lewis as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day. Listen to The State of Netanyahu wherever you listen to podcasts: https://observer.co.uk/listen/the-state-of-netanyahu **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: Giles Whittell Producer: Amalie Sortland Executive Producer: 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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#728
September 24 · 28 min
Will Trump confront Xi Jinping over China’s support of Iran?
China’s president, Xi, is in Washington. What’s at stake? Is the 40-year ban on people drinking in football stands about to end? And what might the new bereavement leave law mean for people who have lost a loved one? Jeevan Vasagar is joined by The Observer’s Jasper Corbett, Seun Matiluko and Andrew Butler as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day. **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: Jeevan Vasagar Producer: Amalie Sortland Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett and Gary Marshall 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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#727
September 17 · 32 min
Can Ed Sheeran keep politics out of music?
How seriously should world leaders take warnings of rogue AI models? Should people be allowed to bet on the trials of new medicines? Why did Ed Sheeran drop his support act, Macklemore, from his tour? Giles Whittell is joined by Cat Neilan, the Observer’s Whitehall editor, Caitlin Macdonald, social media editor and James Tapper, Observer reporter, as they battle it out to pitch the top story of the day. **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: Giles Whittell 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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#726
September 10 · 32 min
Is Trump bribing voters?
Why has President Trump promised Americans $5000 dollars each if Republicans win the midterms elections? How seriously should we take former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon's earnest warning that AI will kill humanity? What do job cuts at Jaguar Land Rover tell us about the British economy? Jeevan Vasagar is joined by The Observer’s Hannah Schuller, Jessica Hayden and Ben Zaranko as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day. Listen to The Endgame wherever you listen to podcasts: https://observer.co.uk/listen/endgame **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: Jeevan Vasagar Producer: Amalie Sortland Executive Producer: 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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#725
September 3 · 34 min
Will the fight for Keir Starmer’s seat make or break the Green Party?
Why has Andy Burnham pledged to save the Jodrell Bank Observatory? Will the Holborn and St Pancras by-election be the ultimate test for Green Party leader Zack Polanski? And is Russia’s hybrid war with Europe really hybrid? Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer’s Jon Ungoed-Thomas, Cat Neilan and Erica Wagner as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day. **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: Giles Whittell Producer: Amalie Sortland Executive Producer: Katie Gunning 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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#724
August 27 · 34 min
What’s behind the Nepal flash flood?
What are the consequences of the devastating flash flood in Nepal, which has killed hundreds and left more than 1,000 people missing? Why does England’s cricket team keep finding itself in trouble, with yet another player caught up in a suspected drunken mishap? And should we all start stockpiling the cupboards with tinned food? Jeevan Vasagar is joined by The Observer’s Poppy Bullard, Andrew Butler and Ben Zaranko as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day. Listen to The Wargame wherever you listen to podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-wargame/id1547225334 **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: Jeevan Vasagar Producer: Amalie Sortland 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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#723
August 20 · 35 min
Has Tupac Shakur’s murder finally been solved?
Can Prime Minister Andy Burnham eradicate rough sleeping by Christmas? Why has the 1996 killing of hip hop legend Tupac Shakur returned to the headlines? And what could Disney and ABC’s lawsuit against the Trump administration mean for the future of press freedom? Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer’s James Tapper, Evan Moffitt and Caitlin Macdonald as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day. **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: Giles Whittell Producer: Amalie Sortland 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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#722
August 13 · 35 min
How vulnerable is global shipping?
Can Andy Burnham do anything to combat wildfires? What does the future of universities and further education look like for students? And are we reaching a crunch point with global shipping? Jeevan Vasagar is joined by The Observer’s Cat Neilan, Hannah Schuller and Ben Zaranko as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day. **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: Jeevan Vasagar 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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#721
August 6 · 35 min
How will the drought affect our food supply?
Why are AI models hacking real companies? How will the ongoing drought affect our domestic food supply? And what is the political and humanitarian fallout after around 70,000 migrants swam from Morocco into Spain’s Ceuta enclave last week? Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer’s Hannah Schuller, Jonathan Lewis and Jon Ungoed-Thomas as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day. **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: Giles Whittell Producer: Amalie Sortland 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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#720
July 30 · 30 min
Is football’s soul for sale?
Why are we experiencing so many wildfires in the UK? How is Prime Minister Andy Burnham proposing to reform adult social care? And is the future of the World Cup in jeopardy over FIFA’s controversial investment plans? Jeevan Vasagar is joined by The Observer’s Stephen Armstrong, Cat Neilan and Andrew Butler as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day. **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: Jeevan Vasagar Producer: Amalie Sortland Executive Producer: Matt Russell 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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#719
July 23 · 33 min
What's behind India's 'cockroach' protests?
Why did an OpenAI model go rogue? What does Ukraine's targeting of a Russian online retailer say about the war? And who is behind India's 'cockroach' protests? Jeevan Vasagar is joined by The Observer’s James Tapper, Poppy Bullard and Hannah Schuller as they battle it out to pitch the top story of the day. **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 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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#718
July 16 · 29 min
Why aren’t Gen Z buying rounds at the pub?
Why can’t England’s men’s football team win a major football tournament? Is Gen Z an economically selfish generation? And what kind of message is the government sending by nationalising British Steel? Jasper Corbett is joined by The Observer’s Stephen Armstrong, Jessy Parker Humphreys and Ben Zaranko as they battle it out to pitch the top story of the day. **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: Jasper Corbett Producer: Amalie Sortland 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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#717
July 9 · 36 min
Nigel Farage v Count Binface: Who could win?
With the US-Iran peace deal seemingly in tatters, and reporting restrictions on western media outlets, how can journalists figure out what’s actually going on in Iran? Why is Nigel Farage spending the summer arguing against a bin in the Clacton byelection? Has Donald Trump’s intervention over a red card at the World Cup undermined fans' trust in FIFA? Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer’s Hannah Schuller, Poppy Bullard and Andrew Butler as they battle it out to pitch the top story of the day. **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: Giles Whittell Producer: Amalie Sortland 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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#716
July 2 · 27 min
Is Taylor Swift’s wedding getting women into betting?
How much money Donald Trump has made from cryptocurrency? Why have rumours about Taylor Swift’s wedding led to an online betting frenzy? Are Silicon Valley whistleblowers under greater threat than ever before? Jeevan Vasagar is joined by the Observer’s Technology Editor Patricia Clarke, Social Media Editor Caitlin Macdonald, and Reporter Jon Ungoed-Thomas as they battle it out to pitch the top story of the day. **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: Jeevan Vasagar 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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#715
June 25 · 38 min
Why does Andy Burnham want to move part of Downing Street?
Why might Andy Burnham move part of the Downing Street operations to Manchester? What happened to maternity care across Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust? And can we adapt our cities to extreme heat? Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer’s Ben Zaranko, Jessy Parker-Humphreys and Evan Moffitt as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day. **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 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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#714
June 18 · 31 min
Why does the Putney Pusher remain anonymous?
Why are UK voters so anti-establishment? Why can’t we name the Putney Pusher suspect? And why is the government banning teenagers from having AI relationships? Jeevan Vasagar is joined by The Observer’s Sarah Dear, Stephen Armstrong and Cat Neilan as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day. **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: Jeevan Vasagar Producer: Amalie Sortland 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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#713
June 11 · 34 min
What’s driving disorder in Belfast?
Who's calling the shots when World Cup staff and fans are denied entry? Can the US-Iran ceasefire survive another exchange of strikes? And why has the Belfast knife attack become about the Irish border? Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer’s John Simpson, Hannah Schuller and Evan Moffitt as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day. **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: Giles Whittell Producer: Amalie Sortland Executive Producer: 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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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