Coronavirus popping up with some well-informed insight

BBC’s The Coronavirus Podcast.

Over the past week, several new podcasts covering the coronavirus crisis have popped up around the world. I haven’t seen a news event generate this kind of rapid proliferation; it’s great that major outlets now recognise the power of podcasts as a way to cover big, sustained stories. For Australian listeners, the best place to start is Coronacast, from the ABC. It’s a daily show, hosted by Tegan Taylor and Norman Swan, with 10-minute episodes predominantly built around questions submitted by Australian listeners. Swan, who also hosts The Health Report on Radio National, is a diligent and clear communicator who leans on the latest research as well as his own general expertise to try and cut through much of the confusion around how COVID-19 may impact Australians.

The ABC's Coronacast.

Abroad, the BBC has also launched its own daily show: The Coronavirus Podcast. It’s a more expansive discussion between the broadcaster’s correspondents, who go back and forth on the latest news, and how events are unfolding around the globe. There’s a little more doubt in play in the British production as the journalists admit their confusion over aspects of the virus. It’s an interesting inclusion, giving listeners a real sense of how disorienting this story is to cover.

NCC's Coronavirus: Fact vs Fiction

Finally, in America there is CNN’s Coronavirus: Fact vs Fiction. This is a more elaborate production, tying in recorded reports from the field as well as studio discussions. The advice included is of little use to Australian listeners, but it’s a good window into how things are faring across in the US. There are already many more amateur productions surfacing alongside these major outlets. Searching for “coronavirus” on your podcast app delivers a decidedly mixed bag of results. It is clear that access to reliable, accurate information is of crucial importance right now. Hopefully, podcast platforms step up and help listeners sort out the quality shows from the pack.

Listen to these podcasts on your favourite podcasting app.