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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 weeklyEpisodes421Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & CultureNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for The Slow Newscast

Latest Episodes

Children are being caught in a global grooming pandemic. This is the story of a mother whose daughter was one such victim.

Reporter: Rachel Sylvester

Producer: Matt Russell

Illustrator: Sara Andreasson

Sound design: Dominic Delargy

Editor: Jaspe... more

The death of student Henry Nowak has shocked the country and sparked riots in Southampton. Ada Barume is joined by the Observer’s Whitehall Editor Cat Neilan and Home Affairs Editor John Simpson to discuss the implications for the government, and the... more

Senior executives of Swedish firm Lundin Oil stand accused of complicity in war crimes. The case against them took more than a decade to come to trial, and the trial was the longest in Swedish history. If they are found guilty it could change how the... more

Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark joins The Observer to reveal why he believes there is a chance we will see human-level AI by 2028. From how AI is already changing the job market to a historic meeting at the Vatican, he explains why we must prepare fo... more

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Recent Guests

Cat Neilan
Whitehall editor at The Observer
The Observer
Episode: SNC Extra: The Henry Nowak case
John Simpson
Home Affairs editor at The Observer
The Observer
Episode: SNC Extra: The Henry Nowak case
Christine Batrouche
Head of Corporate Responsibility at Lundin Oil (1999–early 2000s); interviewee
Lundin Oil
Episode: On trial: oil and war crimes
Jack Clark
Co-founder of Anthropic
Anthropic
Episode: Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark: What does the future of AI look like?
Tim DeMayer
Assistant Chief Constable, Thames Valley Police
Thames Valley Police
Episode: 'Social media is killing our kids'
Stuart Stevens
Parent advocating for youth safety online
Private individual (parent)
Episode: 'Social media is killing our kids'
Jonathan Hall
KC, government's independent reviewer of terrorism legislation
UK Government
Episode: 'Social media is killing our kids'
Becky Foljambe
GP specializing in impact of social media on children
Episode: 'Social media is killing our kids'
Matt Dukes
Speaker on online safety and youth violence
Episode: 'Social media is killing our kids'

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 2.2k ratings
  • 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
    Australia15 days 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
    Australia17 days 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 Kingdoma month ago
  • Disappointing lack of balance and critical thinking in recent episode on Iran

    Have mostly enjoyed the exploration of issues on the Observer ‘Slow News’ podcast series. However, I was really appalled by the lack of journalistic balance and critical thinking in the recent episode on Iran’s nuclear programme. The episode featured numerous Israeli establishment voices, and repeated claims made by the Israeli and US governments, with no real challenge to the claims made and an absence of critical analysis. Such unbalanced and complacent reporting from the Observer is incredibl... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    epic epicurean
    Japana month ago
  • Exceptionally interesting thank you

    Podcast Addict
    5
    PaulS
    4 months ago

Listeners Say

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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.

Is this the end of Orban's influence?
Q: How optimistic are you about Péter Magyar's ability to untangle Hungary from Orbanism?
David notes the obstacles include judges and powerful business interests tied to Orbán, but suggests that with a two-thirds majority Magyar could push change, though it will not be easy to unravel decades of influence.
Is this the end of Orban's influence?
Q: What was your reaction on Sunday when you heard the election result?
David Aaronovitch explains a mix of pessimism and surprise—expecting Magyar to win based on polls, yet thinking the outcome would be blocked or delayed, and recognizing that the Orbán network remains deeply entrenched in institutions.
Can we be saved from AI?
Q: What kinds of safeguards or structural changes do you think are essential to protect people from AI's potential harms?
They advocate for balancing business incentives with safety, including blanket bans on certain engagement-focused training for youths, mandatory testing and safety standards, and ongoing monitoring to prevent the tech from undermining mental health and social well-being.
Can we be saved from AI?
Q: Will AI pass or fail humanity's test with these technologies, and what conditions would tilt the outcome toward success?
Both guests express cautious optimism if there is clear coordination and fundamental changes to incentives, including safer design practices and governance, but acknowledge it remains a difficult, non-linear challenge requiring systemic shifts.
Can we be saved from AI?
Q: What are the implications of the Google/Meta decision, and could we see a shift in accountability beyond content to the design of platforms themselves?
The discussion suggests that liability could expand beyond content to how products maximize attention, potentially opening up lawsuits and court-ordered changes to features like feeds, with broader consequences for injunctive relief and product design decisions.

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. Foundling | Tortoise Investigates
2. The News Meeting
3. Sensemaker
4. The Audio Long Read
5. The Story

How many episodes of The Slow Newscast are there?

The Slow Newscast launched 7 years ago and published 421 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. Cat Neilan
2. John Simpson
3. Christine Batrouche
4. Jack Clark
5. Tim DeMayer
6. Stuart Stevens
7. Jonathan Hall
8. Becky Foljambe

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