Tortoise News

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:

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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

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Why is David Attenborough warning us about ocean trawling?
Jun 4, 2025 – 36:27
Is Ukraine's audacious drone attack on Russia a game changer?
Jun 2, 2025 – 35:14
How is for-profit aid shaping the humanitarian crisis in Gaza?
May 30, 2025 – 36:32
Is Elon Musk behind Trump’s ‘white genocide’ claims?
May 23, 2025 – 34:52
Did Democrats try to hide Joe Biden’s deteriorating health?
May 19, 2025 – 38:06
Bradley Wiggins admits he was a cocaine addict. What does his struggle with drugs tell us about retired athlete care?
May 16, 2025 – 29:32
What will Keir Starmer’s closer relationship with the EU look like?
May 14, 2025 – 31:51
Why are the Qataris reportedly gifting Donald Trump a $400mn jumbo jet?
May 12, 2025 – 35:15
Are India and Pakistan on the brink of all out war?
May 8, 2025 – 34:54
Ozempic weddings: What are the risks of slimming down for the big day?
May 2, 2025 – 37:28
Why do we lose our local parks to festivals every summer?
Apr 28, 2025 – 32:26
Is Trump losing patience with Putin?
Apr 25, 2025 – 31:44
The government’s race to save British Steel
Apr 14, 2025 – 35:34
What’s behind the allegations of insider trading following Trump’s tariff U-turn?
Apr 11, 2025 – 37:19
Global stock markets tumble as countries react to Trump’s tariffs
Apr 7, 2025 – 33:42
Are Trump’s tariffs the beginning of the end for the global economic order?
Apr 4, 2025 – 29:52
Deborah Frances-White on renters’ rights and the earthquake in Myanmar
Mar 31, 2025 – 34:30
How did Trump’s top officials accidentally invite a journalist into their group chat?
Mar 27, 2025 – 33:56
Yalda Hakim on war with China and why did a fire shut down Heathrow airport?
Mar 24, 2025 – 34:17
Are there plans to remove 2 million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip?
Mar 21, 2025 – 33:49
How did Trump deport hundreds to a mega prison in El Salvador despite a judge's ruling?
Mar 17, 2025 – 34:55
The Young Turks’ Cenk Uygur discusses the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil and what this means for free speech in America
Mar 14, 2025 – 35:44
Why the King wants you to listen to Bob Marley and Reform’s civil war escalates
Mar 10, 2025 – 28:39
Should Europe seize $220bn in frozen Russian assets and why an Alaskan dog sled race just got even longer?
Mar 7, 2025 – 32:01
Trump ambushes Zelensky and Starmer takes the lead
Mar 3, 2025 – 31:38
Should Starmer try to win over Trump and is Zelensky’s mineral deal with the US a smart move?
Feb 28, 2025 – 38:47
Why has Apple pulled a data protection tool and will Germany stand up to Trump?
Feb 24, 2025 – 34:09
Why do some young voters buy Trump's lies about Ukraine and what’s behind the violence in the DRC?
Feb 21, 2025 – 35:19
Is Europe irrelevant in Trump’s new world order and will the UK send troops to Ukraine?
Feb 17, 2025 – 33:51
The Trump-Putin phone call shocks Europe and mayday for universities in Wales
Feb 13, 2025 – 37:17
The rise and rise of Reform and the posthumously published diary of Joan Didion
Feb 10, 2025 – 36:01
The Taliban refuses to return $7bn of US arms and Doge takes on USAID
Feb 7, 2025 – 36:41
Why is the Royal Family off limits in Parliament and could Trump force Palestinians out of Gaza?
Feb 3, 2025 – 29:41
An art heist in the Netherlands and will there ever be a third runway at Heathrow Airport?
Jan 30, 2025 – 35:54
Israeli settlers in the West Bank and the millionaire paying to dodge death
Jan 27, 2025 – 40:09
Who is the bishop who urged Trump to “have mercy” and why was crypto booming at Davos?
Jan 24, 2025 – 34:11
Ceasefire in Gaza, allegations against Neil Gaiman, and Donald Trump returns
Jan 20, 2025 – 32:29
How should the media handle Trump 2.0?
Jan 17, 2025 – 38:19
The price of Shein’s fast fashion and what’s gone wrong for Rachel Reeves?
Jan 13, 2025 – 33:03
Why is Mark Zuckerberg changing Meta’s policies and will the LA wildfires make California uninsurable?
Jan 10, 2025 – 35:03
Blake Lively versus Justin Baldoni and Elon Musk muscles in on British politics
Jan 6, 2025 – 30:40
Sensemaker: Will 2025 be the breakthrough year for AI adoption?
Jan 6, 2025 – 8:03
News Meeting 2025 predictions: Will Trump and Musk stay friends and could AI help us talk to animals?
Jan 3, 2025 – 24:22
Sensemaker: Denmark's gold rush town
Jan 3, 2025 – 6:20
Sensemaker: A hard year for King Charles
Jan 2, 2025 – 5:21
Sensemaker: Joe Root – the greatest gets better
Jan 1, 2025 – 5:29
Sensemaker: Nara Smith and the tradwife renaissance
Dec 31, 2024 – 8:04
Sensemaker: The rise and rise of Kneecap
Dec 30, 2024 – 8:22
The News Meeting: 2024 Wrapped
Dec 27, 2024 – 33:01
Sensemaker: How Baby Reindeer rocked British TV
Dec 27, 2024 – 8:06

Recent Reviews

J.Starburger

I adore The News Meeting

I’m always fascinated by how different professions do their work. Listening to The News Meaning I feel like I’m a fly on the wall in an editorial meeting, learning what makes a story, and what makes a lead story. I do think the US news content feels a little bit behind that of other sources, and I would be happy without it if I am being honest.