Stop The Press! cover art

Stop The Press!

Stop The Press!

Written by: Nick Copson Bill Martin Rob Chadwick
Listen for free

About this listen

The podcast where we peel back the headlines and dive into the dynamic, ever-evolving world of journalism and media. Listen to Bill Martin, Nick Copson, and Rob Chadwick as they go from current affairs to investigative storytelling, from where news and media came from, to where it's heading, we explore the forces shaping how information is reported, consumed, and manipulated in today's fast-paced digital age.

We aim to empower media professionals, current and former journalists, and aspiring storytellers by exploring the challenges, opportunities, and ethics of the industry. Through candid conversations with industry leaders, academics, and change-makers, we seek to provide a platform for learning, reflection, and inspiration, ensuring journalism continues to thrive as a pillar of truth, accountability, and creativity in the digital age.

© 2026 Stop The Press!
Politics & Government
Episodes
  • #24: Expose or Entrap? Sven, Big Sam, and the limits of the press
    Jan 22 2026

    In Part 2 of the press and England sport pod, Bill, Rob, and Nick take on one of the biggest ethical questions in journalism: does the press go too far in pursuit of a headline?

    Using the historic but high-profile sting operations involving Sven-Göran Eriksson and Sam Allardyce as flashpoints, the trio explore where the line sits between exposing wrongdoing and manufacturing a scandal. When reporters set the trap, steer the conversation, and shape the narrative, are they uncovering the truth - or creating a story that didn’t really exist?

    The discussion digs into the ethics of “gotcha” journalism, the pressure to feed the news cycle, and how these tactics affect public trust - not just in the press, but in the people they target.

    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • #23: From tabloids to Bazball - England sport’s never-ending media battle
    Jan 21 2026

    England’s Ashes tour of Australia didn’t just take place on the pitch - it played out in headlines, columns, and outrage too. From stories about drinking culture to fierce criticism of Bazball tactics, the coverage often felt less like analysis and more like a prosecution - in the UK and Australia.

    In this episode of Stop The Press!, Rob, Bill, and Nick ask a blunt question: have the media and press overstepped the mark with England’s sporting teams - and does it genuinely affect their chances of success?

    They explore how the scrutiny around the cricket team echoes the relentless criticism aimed at the England football team in the 90s and 00s - where every misstep became a national crisis, and the pressure often seemed to grow louder than the game itself.

    Is tough journalism part of holding teams accountable… or have we created a culture where England can’t build momentum without being torn down first?

    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • 21: Our wildly fanciful, slightly irreverent, almost certainly wrong... predictions for 2026
    Jan 3 2026

    What’s going to happen in 2026? Almost certainly not what we predict… which makes this episode perfect Stop The Press! territory. Bill, Nick and Rob each bring three predictions for the year ahead across news, media, politics and culture - and they range from the vaguely plausible to the gloriously unhinged.

    Expect bold calls, wilful speculation, media trends taken to their illogical conclusion, and a healthy dose of self-awareness that most of this will age terribly. From the future of journalism and political chaos to cultural moments that definitely won’t pan out as expected, the trio embrace the joy of being confidently wrong.

    It’s irreverent, slightly cynical, occasionally insightful, and very much not investment advice.

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
No reviews yet