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The Slow Newscast

The Observer
Donald Trump
Labour Party
Neil Gaiman
Sexual Assault
Brexit
Consent
Mental Health
Domestic Abuse
Covid-19
Jeremy Corbyn
Sexual Abuse
Elon Musk
Keir Starmer
Joe Biden
Benjamin Netanyahu
Artificial Intelligence
Russia
Public Health
Scarlett
Opioid Crisis

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 themselv... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes437Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryNewsNews CommentarySociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

On Thursday 30th July, an avalanche hit the world's twelfth highest mountain. Ten experienced climbers were caught by it, among them one of the world's most famous and experienced mountaineers Nirmal Purja. Is the world of mountaineering becoming mor... more

When World Cup Winner Phil Vickery retired in 2010, he thought his toughest physical battles were behind him. Today, like hundreds of former players, he lives with memory loss and the looming threat of brain trauma – and he’s demanding answers. And ... more

What are companies extracting British spring water, companies like Coca Cola and Nestle, paying for that water? The answer is extraordinary. And with the threat of nationalisation, what does the future hold for our water companies? In other words, wh... more

How a mislaid phone led to a nightmare of fake reviews and claims of antisemitism. When Ali, a restaurateur, realised his mobile’s security had been breached and that random things were missing from his flat, he began to feel uneasy. Was he being tar... more

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Recent Guests

Nigel Farage
Leader of Reform Party, central figure in the investigation
Reform/GB News appearances mentioned
Episode: Who owns our water?
Christopher Harbourn
Crypto/billionaire donor central to Reform UK's finances
Episode: Bankrolling Farage: Who Funds Reform? Episode one: The Missing Millions
Rory Smith
The Observer's indefatigable football correspondent
The Observer
Episode: Have England failed again?
Ademola Adedeji
Subject of the case, later released
Adedeji family
Episode: Fire on the mountain: Mistaken identity
Taiwo Adedeji
Mother of Ademola, community advocate
Adedeji family
Episode: Fire on the mountain: Mistaken identity
Harry Oni
School friend who testified and was involved in related cases
Manchester 10 cohort
Episode: Fire on the mountain: Mistaken identity
Chloe Hajamatheu
Reporter
The Observer / The Slow Newscast
Episode: Who is the man behind Syria's war crimes dossier?
Toby Cadman
Human rights lawyer
London-based law firm, human rights advocate
Episode: Who is the man behind Syria's war crimes dossier?
Abdo al-Dabakh
Emma's cousin, described as more traditional and skeptical of Basia
Family of Emma/Asma
Episode: We call her Emma

Hosts

Rachel Sylvester
Host of The Slow Newscast Extra; political editor and journalist with deep UK political reporting experience.
Ada
Host of The Slow Newscast with multiple appearances; specialist in interview-driven, investigative segments.
Alexi Mostrous
Host of Slow Newscast Extra; regular voice across episodes; strong investigative journalism background.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 2.3k ratings
  • Henry Nowak

    What a one sided review .

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Mary Mac 13
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Biased

    This is very biased. The families apology means nothing when they were in court shouting at Henry’s family the day before. Henry was handcuffed while dying and his murderer was never handcuffed. He was treated differently, why???????

    Poor Henry must have seen the police and thought thank god I’m safe now but they treated him so badly. That poor boy. You’ve hardly spoken about him. So disappointed

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    SIMO CC
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • What have you done to this podcast?

    It used to be great, now it’s awful. The Observer have killed it

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Lulu ledoux
    Australia2 months ago
  • Don’t love the extra episodes!

    It’s called the Slow Newscast and now you’re shoehorning in an extra half-baked episode covering the news headlines. Why? Just create a separate podcast. This podcast just became like every other podcast and has really lost its mojo.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ange87
    Australia3 months ago
  • Justin Baldoni

    I'm sorry this is so biased to Blake Lively. MSM at their worst. She ruined Justin Baldoni's career.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    BulmersTrucker
    United Kingdom3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The storytelling remains clear and investigative without sensationalism.
High-quality journalism with balanced, nuanced perspectives.
Professional, meticulously researched storytelling that respects listeners' intelligence.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

One-star review: A stolen year
Q: How did the investigator connect the digital traces to Layla?
The investigator matched IP addresses, device access patterns, and account activity across Ali's devices, building a timeline that pointed toward Layla, changing the direction of the case from a generic cyber assault to a likely personal offender.
Who is the man behind Syria's war crimes dossier?
Q: How likely is it that Bashar al-Assad or other senior regime figures will stand trial someday?
The likelihood is complex and uncertain; jurisdiction and political will are major barriers, with real possibilities emerging only if powerful states align on a new tribunal or a significant political shift occurs that compels accountability.
Who is the man behind Syria's war crimes dossier?
Q: When did you first become aware of the Caesar files as they then became known?
I learned of the Caesar Files during the extraction process and the Qatar strategy, where international prosecutors and forensic experts evaluated how the material could be used legally, with the aim of building robust reports for UN institutions.
Have England failed again?
Q: With the benefit of hindsight, what is the legacy of this World Cup for you?
The World Cup may reshape American sporting culture by normalizing global football fandom in the US, while also reminding the world of football's power to unite people across divisions and borders.
Have England failed again?
Q: And how should England have played them given their intangible, almost magical quality?
The approach would have needed to disrupt Argentina's momentum and emotional capital earlier, rather than retreat into a defensive shell; the moment England led, they might have pressed more aggressively to test Argentina's ability to sustain pressure.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Slow Newscast

What is The Slow Newscast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show offers long-form, narrative investigations into political, legal, tech, and social issues with a UK focus and occasional international angles. Episodes frequently dissect policy trade-offs, power dynamics, and the human impact behind headlines, often featuring investigative reporting, expert commentary, and historical context. A standout trait is the careful, methodical storytelling that balances robust research with accessible storytelling, making complex topics like anti-doping, political funding, and state influence easier to grasp for a broad audience. The format tends to combine deep-dive reporting with a wide network of journalists, policymakers, and industry insiders, which can appeal to listeners who value rigorous journali... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Slow Newscast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Slow Newscast:

1. We call her Emma | Tortoise Investigates
2. The Audio Long Read
3. The News Meeting
4. The Story
5. Today in Focus

How many episodes of The Slow Newscast are there?

The Slow Newscast launched 7 years ago and published 437 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Slow Newscast?

Recent guests on The Slow Newscast include:

1. Nigel Farage
2. Christopher Harbourn
3. Rory Smith
4. Ademola Adedeji
5. Taiwo Adedeji
6. Harry Oni
7. Chloe Hajamatheu
8. Toby Cadman

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