The Slow Newscast

by Tortoise Media
69
News Commentary #200

The Slow Newscast from The Observer takes the news slowly. We investigate, and every week we focus on stories that really matter in the UK and around the world. From wars in Ukraine and Gaza through to true crime and injustice and real life mysteries, The Slow Newscast team is devoted to narrative investigations covering some of the biggest topics of the day.


Who are the people biohacking themselves in a quest for immortality? Or the man taking on an entire nation in the high seas to protect whales? And what happened when humanity's most distant messenger fell silent? From a newsroom with a different approach to journalism these are the stories we tell.


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.

More
Recent Episodes
  • Jeff and Donald
    Jun 3, 2025 – 51:51
  • Jamie Vardy: The last underdog
    May 27, 2025 – 24:00
  • Car crash: Musk and Tesla
    May 20, 2025 – 30:19
  • Just Stop TurmOil
    May 13, 2025 – 43:24
  • Sara Sharif: one judge, three court cases and a murder
    May 6, 2025 – 49:06
  • Broken ranks: civil war in the police fed
    Apr 29, 2025 – 40:23
  • North Korea's war in Europe
    Apr 22, 2025 – 38:38
  • How to ruin a football club
    Apr 15, 2025 – 42:08
  • Nimby Nation
    Apr 8, 2025 – 44:35
  • Die, die, DEI
    Apr 1, 2025 – 41:08
  • The $Trumpcon
    Mar 25, 2025 – 45:00
  • The hunt for the 100ft wave
    Mar 18, 2025 – 43:27
  • Are we alone?
    Mar 11, 2025 – 35:13
  • Trump's Dealmaker: Steve Witkoff and Gaza
    Mar 4, 2025 – 48:06
  • Lucky Boy
    Feb 25, 2025 – 38:02
  • Master: the allegations against Neil Gaiman | The lawsuit
    Feb 18, 2025 – 28:27
  • The Rwanda plan: How to waste £700m
    Feb 11, 2025 – 32:14
  • F**k it, release ‘em all: Trump and the Jan 6ers
    Feb 4, 2025 – 42:13
  • Goodbye mum: the ruthless fight for child custody
    Jan 30, 2025 – 48:23
  • Rogue Russia: Nuclear poker
    Jan 21, 2025 – 39:06
  • Rogue Russia: Agents of mayhem
    Jan 14, 2025 – 42:37
  • Jordan Peterson and the making of man
    Jan 7, 2025 – 40:51
  • Finding my voice
    Dec 31, 2024 – 19:26
  • The final bow: David Bowie's last act
    Dec 24, 2024 – 21:12
  • The immortality bros: The business of living forever
    Dec 17, 2024 – 44:13
  • Killing hope: Iran's mind wars
    Dec 10, 2024 – 33:45
  • Stuck in space
    Dec 3, 2024 – 30:59
  • My AI girlfriend: a cure for loneliness
    Nov 26, 2024 – 41:31
  • Operation Asshole: Paul Watson's whale war
    Nov 19, 2024 – 44:15
  • Elon: A star is born
    Nov 12, 2024 – 29:37
  • Sick parade: A crisis at Catterick Garrison
    Nov 5, 2024 – 37:40
  • The Furys: An empire of fists
    Oct 29, 2024 – 46:32
  • The cases against Sean Combs
    Oct 22, 2024 – 33:49
  • Beyond Trump: JD Vance and the New Right
    Oct 15, 2024 – 42:14
  • Elon's Spies
    Oct 8, 2024 – 40:11
  • The hunt for Iran's next Supreme Leader
    Oct 1, 2024 – 36:41
  • One light day: Voyager's long farewell
    Sep 24, 2024 – 35:40
  • The Festival Fossil Fuels Fiasco
    Sep 17, 2024 – 38:49
  • Lucy Letby: the Expert Witness
    Sep 10, 2024 – 55:00
  • Leaked: who profits from celebrity nudes?
    Sep 3, 2024 – 37:27
  • Master: the allegations against Neil Gaiman - episode 6
    Aug 27, 2024 – 51:29
  • The Clooney intervention
    Aug 20, 2024 – 47:48
  • Taylor Swift's London
    Aug 14, 2024 – 32:25
  • Palestine's forgotten leader
    Aug 6, 2024 – 45:13
  • Master: the allegations against Neil Gaiman - episode 5
    Aug 1, 2024 – 40:21
  • Master: the allegations against Neil Gaiman - episode 4
    Jul 31, 2024 – 42:26
  • Master: the allegations against Neil Gaiman - episode 3
    Jul 31, 2024 – 35:06
  • Master: the allegations against Neil Gaiman - episode 2
    Jul 31, 2024 – 48:52
  • Master: the allegations against Neil Gaiman - episode 1
    Jul 31, 2024 – 56:17
  • Lost glacier: the climate pioneers
    Jul 30, 2024 – 45:57
Recent Reviews
  • Seraphina14
    Tortoise News - great journalism, fascinating stories
    So happy to finally learn about Tortoise (from Front Burner???). I love these “long read” podcast stories & short series- all professionally produced “sound articles” from real journalists. 👏🏼
  • MissBoo
    Neil Gaiman is a rapist.
    That's it. The end. At least 5 victims have come forward now: Scarlett, K, Claire, Caroline, Julia. And there's more to come. Stop protecting him. Let this news break loud and strong.
  • east_of_eden
    Gaiman Want-to-Bes with the one stars lol
    Just in the reviews to see who has empathy for a sexual abusers! Masks off, we see you! Thanks for the excellent and complex story. Checks right out.
  • km34
    Irresponsible
    I found the coverage of the “Neil Gaiman” bit to be irresponsible, bordering on unethical. Innuendo, quick-clips that seem like the reporters are cutting context out, clear cases of the “victim saying ‘I consented,’ and the reporters just ignoring it and launching into their take, etc. The reporters clearly do not accept BDSM as a sexual activity, nor do they agree with a 20-year-old being an adult that can consent (which, by law, they are). The reporters may have bigger points – is BDSM assault? what is consent? can someone say they consent but withdraw it post-facto? – but the fact that they chose what appear to be regretful BUT CONSENTING adults is just irresponsible. Really shoddy work that comes across as a salacious way to hype their podcast/webpage.
  • Bellamammal
    What are you doing to young women’s minds in the U.K.?
    How could anyone hear Scarlett’s words to Neil and come away with any impression other than she was way into it? ALL of it. Then to find out about her searches on #metoo and conversations with friends that say the exact opposite of what she was saying to Neil? She’s clearly a grifter with an agenda and this podcast supports her aims. How ludicrous that British law claims one cannot consent to sex that causes physical harm!! Everyone in the BDSM lifestyle knows that’s pure bollocks! What are you doing to women’s minds in the U. K.? Stop infantilizing grown women!
  • MereMay87
    The News We Need
    In a world of fast paced, breaking news, Tortoise stands out above the rest, as it methodically makes it’s way to the finish line, gathering info along the way. This is the kind of journalism we need more of in our world. Listen to Tortoise, you will not be disappointed.
  • EdmondsKat
    Very engaging
    Love love love Basia’s voice. So soothing as she comprehensively lays out the story. Her manner has heart without being emotional and compromising facts. More please :)
  • PNWSeaTown
    Balanced, in depth and compelling
    I like the depth of each report and story, the narrative and the level of professionalism of journalism and integrity in this podcast. It’s quickly moved up to my top 5 list.
  • jackson lind lebuffe
    great podcast
    great podcast
  • motoutofafrica
    Proper News
    Just so good. Informed, intelligent, lively, and searingly relevant. Proper news.
  • Cat939
    Smear Merchant
    Your RFK episode is shameful. Typical smears by media propagandists. So pathetic.
  • ZMUFFON
    Decent Human Behaviour
    I sighed with relief when I heard that Luis Eduardo survived,but was so wrought with sadness when Emmanuel passed. This podcast is excellently well done, and the diligence of tortoise media shows.
  • 18th floor yellow door
    Story I didn’t know, well told
    Did not know much about Malta or this murder. Compelling without be sensational. Glad I found this podcast
  • conmurray
    Thank You for the My Mother’s Murder series
    Thank you Paul and the rest of the family for sharing the fight for justice and democracy.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.