Australia to wake up with the country's most renowned journalists on The Morning Edition

Some of Australia’s most renowned journalists will reveal the stories behind the stories everyone is talking about in daily podcast series The Morning Edition, launched today by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

Hosted by journalist Samantha Selinger-Morris, the podcast - which will drop every weekday at 5am - will feature the Herald and Age’s award-winning journalists such as Kate McClymont exposing Australia’s biggest scandals and fraudsters; Nick McKenzie revealing his latest blockbuster investigation, or Ross Gittins explaining economics as only Ross can.

The Morning Edition have two regular episodes: Peter Hartcher every Thursday to dissect the biggest issues at home and abroad, and on Friday Jacqueline Maley and David Crowe take you behind the biggest stories in Canberra.

“I have a burning desire to understand what’s going on, and here I get to speak to some of the finest - and most experienced - minds in the business,” said Samantha Selinger-Morris. “What a joy and relief it is when they help me, and by extension our listeners, to understand the swirling political, environmental, and often criminal forces that surround us.”

The Morning Edition is the latest iteration of the Please Explain podcast, which launched in 2018. Originally a weekly insight into the news it has evolved into Australia’s best daily news podcast, and has been the recipient of Best Daily Podcast at the 2023 Australian Podcast Awards.

"Our podcast has evolved considerably over the past six years and we’re incredibly excited that evolution continues today as the name becomes The Morning Edition,” said Chris Paine, Head of Premium Content for the metro mastheads.

“It may be a new name and a new look, but the DNA remains: the story behind the story with the best journalists in the country. And with Sam behind the microphone, I cannot wait to see The Morning Edition grow to become every Australian’s news podcast of choice.”

Head of podcasting, Ruby Schwartz, said: “I am looking forward to seeing where Sam takes The Morning Edition in 2024. She is a brilliant and inquisitive host who helps me better understand the big stories of the day through her rigorous and thoughtful questions. And with a US presidential election just around the corner, and geopolitical struggles not seen in generations taking place, that’s never been more important.”