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The Slow Newscast

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

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 weeklyEpisodes452Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryNewsNews CommentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Slow Newscast

Latest Episodes

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Ten years ago Kim Edwards and her boyfriend, Lucas Markham, who were both 14 at the time, stabbed Kim’s mother and Kim’s younger sister to death. They were both sentenced to life in prison and became the youngest, and among the most notorious, double... more

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Key Facts

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Contact Information
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Recent Guests

Maxine Follows
Grandmother of Kim Edwards, pivotal interviewee
Family/Local community
Episode: “I will never judge you”: A grandmother’s promise
Shawneen Lam
Barrister and co-founder of Just for Kids Law
Just for Kids Law
Episode: “I will never judge you”: A grandmother’s promise
Chloe Hadjimatheou
Observer's narrative editor and the host and reporter of Lucky Boy
The Observer
Episode: The teacher, the school, and the myth of the 'Lucky Boy'
Amanda Ungaro
Former partner of Paolo Zampolli, model to UN associate
UN-related diplomacy, private sector connections
Episode: Paolo Zampolli: Trump’s matchmaker
Jessica Rawnsley
Investigative journalist for The Observer
The Observer
Episode: Why is electroconvulsive therapy still used?
Jamie Farrant
David Farrant's son, discusses his father and the Highgate saga
Private individual
Episode: My father, the vampire hunter
Mark Follman
National Affairs Editor with Mother Jones Magazine
Mother Jones
Episode: What does a mass shooter’s chatbot history reveal?
Rupert Lowe
MP for Great Yarmouth; founder of Restore Britain
Restore Britain
Episode: Ctrl Alt Restore
Cat Neelan
Whitehall editor, reporter for Who Funds Reform series
The Observer
Episode: What next for Reform and Nigel Farage?

Host

Basia Cummings
Host of The Slow Newscast (and related series); long-form investigative journalist with The Observer.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 2.3k ratings
  • Flawed and biased episode on ECT

    The tone of the journalist discussing ECT was immediately negative and judgmental. Her grasp of the science, psychiatry in general and the struggle of patients and families experiencing mental illness was quite limited. This creates more distrust and will discourage patients seeking care. Hugely disappointed you would let this dismissive tone be published.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    MTAKWA
    United States21 days ago
  • Henry Nowak

    What a one sided review .

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Mary Mac 13
    United Kingdom3 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 Kingdom3 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
    Australia4 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
    Australia4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate nuanced analysis beyond standard headlines, and strong guest expertise.
Some critics argue episodes are biased or overly opinionated at times.
Feedback highlights high regard for long-form storytelling and investigative depth.
Listeners praise rigorous, balanced investigations with careful sourcing.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Paolo Zampolli: Trump’s matchmaker
Q: What is Paolo Zampolli's official role or mandate?
His role evolved from a private businessman and social connector into a government-adjacent envoy-like figure with duties that were not formally codified, leading to debates about transparency and ethics.
Why is electroconvulsive therapy still used?
Q: Did you speak to anyone who said it had worked for them?
Yes. Some patients reported substantial short-term benefits, such as rapid improvement after a few sessions, but the overall evidence remains contested and benefits are not universal.
What does a mass shooter’s chatbot history reveal?
Q: So tell me, what was it about this particular story that jumped out at you, and when did you learn about it?
The case stood out because it bridged the gap between psychological profiling and real-time technological engagement, revealing how a user's planning could unfold inside a chatbot, and I learned about it through a network of behavioral threat assessment sources starting about two years ago.
What next for Reform and Nigel Farage?
Q: Do you think this stunt helps or hinders his national ambitions given the media landscape and upcoming by-elections?
The local results reinforce familiar support among Farage enthusiasts, but the national picture is unsettled as media engagement and anti-establishment coalitions challenge Reform's wider appeal; the path to national leadership remains unclear and contingent on wider public reception.
What next for Reform and Nigel Farage?
Q: Just talk me through why Farage didn't attend the results announcement and the police/security angle.
Farage cited a claim of a credible threat and concern about being humiliated by 'nobodies', a stance that has been disputed and tied to broader questions about his finances and donor scrutiny.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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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 delivers long-form investigations and narrative journalism on timely UK and global issues, ranging from political finance, corruption, and governance to major global events and social justice stories. Episodes often feature deep-dive reporting, archival context, expert commentary, and on-the-ground reporting, giving listeners a clear throughline on accountability, policy implications, and human impact. A notable strength is its willingness to tackle complex, controversial topics with thorough sourcing and dramatic storytelling, which can attract listeners who crave thoughtful, in-depth analysis beyond headlines.

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How many listeners does The Slow Newscast get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Slow Newscast have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Slow Newscast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Slow Newscast:

1. Lucky Boy | 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 452 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Slow Newscast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Slow Newscast?

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What guests have appeared on The Slow Newscast?

Recent guests on The Slow Newscast include:

1. Maxine Follows
2. Shawneen Lam
3. Chloe Hadjimatheou
4. Amanda Ungaro
5. Jessica Rawnsley
6. Jamie Farrant
7. Mark Follman
8. Rupert Lowe

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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