Mass Walkout at The Guardian: Journalists Strike to Defend Observer's Legacy

[Social Media]

 

Nearly 500 journalists from *The Guardian* and its sister publication, the *Observer*, went on strike last week to protest plans to sell the historic Sunday newspaper to a small digital startup. The strike, which began on Wednesday,  lasted for two days and may resume this week if demands are not addressed.  

 

Carole Cadwalladr, a prominent investigative journalist and feature writer for the *Observer*, described the planned sale as a grave mistake. “We believe it’s a total betrayal of the Guardian’s values and promises that it’s made," she said. “The sale of the *Observer* to a loss-making startup is potentially the death of this historic brand."  

 

The journalists hope their action will prompt the Scott Trust, which owns the Guardian Media Group, to reconsider its approach. Cadwalladr explained that the strike is aimed at slowing down what many view as a rushed and predetermined process. The union representing the journalists believes other potential buyers could emerge if the decision-making process is extended and the situation reassessed.  

 

The *Observer*, first published in 1791, holds the distinction of being the world's oldest Sunday newspaper. Known for its liberal stance, it has hosted illustrious writers such as George Orwell and played a pivotal role in the establishment of Amnesty International. However, its future now hangs in the balance.  

 

The proposed buyer, Tortoise Media, is a small but respected news outlet founded in 2019 by James Harding, the former BBC News director and editor of *The Times*. While Tortoise Media is well-regarded, critics argue that it lacks the resources and stability to steward such a historic and significant brand.  

 

The Scott Trust, which operates similarly to a U.S. nonprofit, oversees the Guardian Media Group and is tasked with upholding the values of liberal journalism. In a joint letter to the Trust's board, the striking journalists emphasized the importance of preserving the *Observer*’s legacy. “The cause of liberal journalism is a fragile one, in Britain and beyond,” the letter stated. “We urge that the Scott Trust should act with a great sense of its duty of stewardship towards a title which has such a magnificent and storied history.”  

 

The Guardian Media Group acquired the *Observer* in 1993, and its content is widely accessible, with the work of its 70-plus journalists featured on the *Guardian*’s free website and in the print edition of the *Observer*.  

 

Despite concerns over the sale, the Guardian Media Group’s overall strategy has paid off in other areas. Its focus on a digital-first approach has helped the company secure significant revenue streams, particularly from international markets. According to the Trust’s latest annual report, more than a third of its revenue — and over half of its digital revenue — now comes from outside the U.K. The group has expanded its global presence, celebrating 10 years of *Guardian Australia*, launching *Guardian Europe* in September, and strengthening its American footprint.  

 

Still, for many, the *Observer* represents a legacy worth protecting. As the strike continues, the journalists and supporters hope their collective action will ensure that this historic title is given the thoughtful consideration and respect it deserves.

 

Based on a report by OPB 2024-12-10

 

 

 

[Nick Carter icp]

Paging Elon Musk .

[JonnyF]

Might be a good time to sell.

 

The extreme leftist Woke nonsense they pump out is being exposed as increasingly ridiculous which is why they are having to beg for donations on their website.

 

You really need to be state funded to survive while trotting out such garbage, as the BBC shows. 

[Bkk Brian]

5 hours ago, Social Media said:

Nearly 500 journalists from *The Guardian* and its sister publication, the *Observer*, went on strike

Did anyone notice the difference?

[300sd]

DEI not working too well! Too bad, so sad.

[JonnyF]

I'll certainly miss gems like this.😆

 

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/jun/14/james-wong-weeding-out-the-race-problem-in-horticulture

 

 

[Patong2021]

The Guardian journalists in their rush to cover Israel's alleged wrongdoings  ignored the atrocities and horrors  now being  publicized in  Syria.

[riclag]

5 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Might be a good time to sell.

 

The extreme leftist Woke nonsense they pump out is being exposed as increasingly ridiculous which is why they are having to beg for donations on their website.

 

You really need to be state funded to survive while trotting out such garbage, as the BBC shows. 

The Guardian mishaps shows The fall of DEI activism , You go Woke you go broke.

BBC needs to learn from this.

 

[Nick Carter icp]

Question :

  "And" ?    (What comes next ) 

 

   The *Observer*, first published in 1791, holds the distinction of being the world's oldest Sunday newspaper. Known for its liberal stance, it has hosted illustrious writers such as George Orwell and................

[The Cyclist]

11 hours ago, Social Media said:

Carole Cadwalladr, a prominent investigative journalist and feature writer for the *Observer*

 

Did she not have to sell her fur coat and knickers to fund a defamation case she lost, over a £ 1 million in legal costs 😀😀

 

 

[mokwit]

Hope they all end up selling double glazing in North London.

[mokwit]

6 hours ago, 300sd said:

DEI not working too well! Too bad, so sad.

Likely article: DEI has proved to be a disaster, but that's a good thing.

[JonnyF]

34 minutes ago, riclag said:

The Guardian mishaps shows The fall of DEI activism , You go Woke you go broke.

BBC needs to learn from this.

 

 

Unfortunately the BBC is able to extort money from the public so they won't go broke. They'll keep paying huge salaries to the deviants working there. Labour won't stop this as the BBC is effectively their propaganda wing. 

 

The Guardian has no such ability. Although you never know under Labour, maybe they will introduce another tax to keep this far left mouthpiece afloat?

[KannikaP]

World News, almost a week old.

[KannikaP]

6 hours ago, 300sd said:

DEI not working too well! Too bad, so sad.

Wish I knew what DEI meant.

[mokwit]

5 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Unfortunately the BBC is able to extort money from the public so they won't go broke. They'll keep paying huge salaries to the deviants working there. Labour won't stop this as the BBC is effectively their propaganda wing. 

 

The Guardian has no such ability. Although you never know under Labour, maybe they will introduce another tax to keep this far left mouthpiece afloat?

BBC will order more hard copies of The Guardian.

[riclag]

8 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Wish I knew what DEI meant.

It a opinion  piece below.

To me and others , it best describes 

the situation!
 

In its most radical forms, DEI is derivative of neo-Marxist identitarian ideologies that attribute virtually all average group differences — from arrest rates to medical school admissions — to systemic discrimination.
https://thehill.com/opinion/education/3718803-what-do-we-really-mean-by-diversity-equity-and-inclusion/

[BangkokReady]

[KannikaP]

1 minute ago, riclag said:

It a opinion !

To me and others , it best describes 

the situation!
 

In its most radical forms, DEI is derivative of neo-Marxist identitarian ideologies that attribute virtually all average group differences — from arrest rates to medical school admissions — to systemic discrimination.
https://thehill.com/opinion/education/3718803-what-do-we-really-mean-by-diversity-equity-and-inclusion/

Oh yes, just what I guessed it meant. 555

[BangkokReady]

10 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Wish I knew what DEI meant.

 

Hire minorities, even (especially?) if they're awful at the job.

[riclag]

5 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

 

Hire minorities, even (especially?) if they're awful at the job.

Lets make merit based achievement a thing of the past woke  mentality !

 

[NanLaew]

There are three types of Guardian fans: those that despise the Guardian, those that really despise the Guardian and those that really, really despise the Guardian.

 

I read the Guardian only to try and understand their hatred and why they are so upset, but it's not working.

 

So here we are, all gathered together at another online anonymous Guardian haters backslapathon and hoping for enlightenment (but not holding my breath).

[Denim]

On 12/10/2024 at 3:06 AM, Nick Carter icp said:

Paging Elon Musk .

 

I am directing you to a new GoFundMe page :

 

www.ChomperbuysObserver.com

 

Give what you can

[lordgrinz]

On 12/10/2024 at 8:13 AM, JonnyF said:

Might be a good time to sell.

 

The extreme leftist Woke nonsense they pump out is being exposed as increasingly ridiculous which is why they are having to beg for donations on their website.

 

You really need to be state funded to survive while trotting out such garbage, as the BBC shows. 

 

So they too have a GoFundMe? 🤣

[JonnyF]

2 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

So they too have a GoFundMe? 🤣

 

Don't think they need it.

 

They've got ME. Jonnyf. 😆

 

 

If I'm one of their top readers globally, having clicked on a few of the Wokies links on this forum then I can see why they have problems. 😃

 

[billd766]

Of course, one way of preserving the Guardian is for the entire staff to exceed the bid price, buy the Guardian and run it themselves.

 

If they succeed then good for them.

 

If they fail and go bankrupt, tough. They can always ask their fellow journalists for financial help.

 

It is called, putting your money where your mouth is.

[Ben Zioner]

Utterly sad, sounds like a last ditch fight for the survival of decent journalism: "The winter is coming".

[mokwit]

6 minutes ago, Ben Zioner said:

decent journalism

Not sure everybody is with you on that.

[Ben Zioner]

36 minutes ago, mokwit said:

Not sure everybody is with you on that.

I agree, apologies, should have used "quality", "ethic", "honest", etc..

 

Anyhow, to keep them afloat we should raise the education level of the masses, which couldn't be achieved without stringent regulation and enforcement of social media, will happen, but only after the Darkness.

[NanLaew]

1 hour ago, mokwit said:

1 hour ago, Ben Zioner said:

decent journalism

Not sure everybody is with you on that.

 

certainly not with the fox aficionados