Stop The Press!

Nick Copson, Bill Martin, Rob Chadwick
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The podcast where journalism, politics and the media industry collide. 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. 

  1. 1D AGO

    #32: Britain’s political circus: Can any party actually govern anymore? With Special Guest: Tess Tucker

    Send us Fan Mail This week on Stop The Press!, Rob, Nick and Bill are joined by Tessa Tucker, former Conservative Party candidate for Exeter, to ask a question that increasingly feels unavoidable: Is Britain becoming ungovernable? As Westminster descends further into personality politics, support or not support a by-election, and the potential for not only a leadership challenge but a general election, the country faces mounting pressure on almost every front. Stagnant growth, overstretched public services, collapsing trust in institutions, rising immigration tensions, and a public that appears angrier and more fragmented than ever. Is this simply the latest chapter in Britain’s long political decline, or evidence of a deeper governance crisis affecting the entire system? The team and Tessa explore:  Whether modern Britain has become too divided to govern effectively  Why public trust in politicians and institutions has collapsed  The rise of performative politics over serious leadership  Whether the media fuels instability or merely reflects it  How social media, outrage culture and 24-hour news cycles have changed politics forever  Why both Labour and the Conservatives appear trapped in short-term thinking  Whether Britain’s political culture itself is now part of the problem A frank conversation about leadership, media, culture and whether the UK is entering a period of permanent political dysfunction.

    55 min

  2. APR 1

    #31: Is social media dead?

    Send us Fan Mail A landmark ruling in Los Angeles has sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley, with tech giants like Meta and Google found liable for contributing to the worsening mental health of a young woman who argued their platforms were deliberately designed to be addictive. In this episode of Stop The Press!, the boys unpack what this case really means. Is this the beginning of meaningful accountability for Big Tech, or a legal overreach that could fundamentally reshape the internet? They explore whether this ruling could become a bellwether moment, opening the floodgates for similar lawsuits across the US. If platforms are held responsible for user harm, does that force a redesign of the attention economy itself? The conversation also turns to the growing global backlash against social media, including Australia’s increasingly aggressive regulatory stance and proposed bans for younger users. Are governments finally catching up, or are they stepping too far into personal freedom?

    31 min

  3. MAR 30

    #30: Special Guest Episode with Pete Holdgate - War, Newsrooms, and the Power of the Image

    Send us Fan Mail This week on Stop The Press!, the team sit down with Falklands War veteran and former Western Morning News and Plymouth Herald photographer Pete Holdgate for a powerful conversation about the craft and courage behind photojournalism. From his early days in the Marines to capturing defining moments in the newsroom, Pete shares what it really takes to tell stories through a single frame. The discussion explores what makes a truly great news photograph, the instinct and timing behind the shot, and why photography remains one of the most important tools in shaping how we understand the world.

    43 min

  4. MAR 5

    #29: The Blair Years - His legacy and his leadership

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Stop The Press!, Nick, Bill, and Rob discuss the recent Channel 4 documentary series The Blair Years and revisit the political era shaped by former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair. From the landslide victory of 1997 to three consecutive terms in office, Blair’s premiership transformed the political centre ground and redefined Labour’s place in British politics. The team examine the achievements and controversies that continue to define Blair’s legacy - economic growth, public service reform, and the shadow of the Iraq War - while asking whether history is becoming kinder or harsher in its judgement. With the UK facing political uncertainty today, they also debate a provocative question: does Britain need a leader with Blair’s authority and electoral dominance again, or has the political landscape changed too much for that style of leadership to return? A reflective discussion about power, legacy, and how the media revisits political figures once the dust of history begins to settle.

    34 min

  5. MAR 4

    #28: Iran invasion: War, Restraint, and the Media’s Reckoning

    Send us Fan Mail The Middle East is once again at war. Following the joint Israeli and American strikes on Iran, the geopolitical consequences are unfolding at speed - from retaliation across the region to rising tensions between allies and growing uncertainty about what comes next. In this episode of Stop The Press!, Nick, Bill and Rob examine how the media has responded to the most significant military escalation in the region for years. They look at the cautious, sometimes conflicted reaction from the British government, and whether Sir Keir Starmer’s attempt to balance alliance politics with restraint has been fairly reported. The conversation also turns to Donald Trump and the early media narrative around the conflict. How much latitude is the press giving the American president in the first days of war? And at what point does coverage move from rallying around the flag to asking harder questions? As events continue to unfold, the episode reflects on a familiar but uneasy cycle: the rush to interpret war in real time — and the moment when the mood of the media, and the public, inevitably shifts.

    31 min

  6. MAR 2

    #27: Hacked Off! Will it mean more press regulation?

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Stop The Press!, Nick, Bill and Rob unpack a week where media accountability, political influence and public broadcasting all collide. First, the team examines the latest developments in the Hacked Off trial - what it means for press regulation, whether the ghosts of Leveson still haunt Fleet Street, and why this story refuses to die. They then turn to the growing noise around the Labour Together investigation, asking hard questions about transparency, political operations behind the scenes, and what journalists — and the public — should be paying attention to. Finally, it’s the BBC in the spotlight as the panel reviews the corporation’s recent Winter Olympics coverage. Did the broadcaster deliver the clarity and storytelling audiences expect, or is this another example of the BBC struggling to land big global moments?

    33 min

  7. MAR 1

    #26: Epstein Fallout: Andrew under arrest, the monarchy and the battle for the truth.

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Stop The Press!, Nick Copson, Bill Martin and Rob Chadwick dig into the latest developments surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein case and the continuing ripple effects across the media and the monarchy. With fresh documents and renewed online speculation driving headlines (oh and the small matter of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's arrest), the trio examine how news organisations are navigating one of the most legally and scandelous stories of years. They explore the fine line between legitimate public interest and unverified claims, and why responsible reporting matters more than ever in the age of viral narratives. The discussion also looks at what the ongoing Epstein fallout means for public trust in institutions - including the Royal Family - and how different parts of the media ecosystem are choosing to cover the story.

    31 min

  8. FEB 5

    #25: A round-up of the news and how it affects the media! And there's lots of it.

    Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode of Stop The Press! Bill, Nick and Rob discuss what's been happening in the news, (or rather what's been happening in Trump-land) because that's the only show in town at the moment, and there's lots to discuss. The guys also discuss Starmer, Epstein, and who the heck owns Greenland now, oh... and is Warner Brother's sale to Netflix another nail in the coffin for old media? It’s irreverent, light-hearted and very very cynical.

    35 min
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About

The podcast where journalism, politics and the media industry collide. 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. 

Information

  • Creator
    Nick Copson, Bill Martin, Rob Chadwick
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Stop The Press!
  • Show Website
    Stop The Press!