Journalists at the Guardian and the Observer newspapers in Britain began a 48-hour strike over plans to sell The Observer, the country’s oldest-running Sunday publication, to digital media start-up Tortoise Media. The workers picketed outside their newsroom in London, arguing that the proposed sale was “rushed through” without their support.
The Observer has been in print since 1791 and the strike marks the first in over 50 years for Guardian News & Media, which publishes both papers. Journalists are calling for the company to pause sale negotiations and consider alternatives.
Tortoise Media is proposing a £25 million investment in The Observer, putting its online content behind a paywall and continuing to publish a print edition on Sundays. However, some journalists question the financial viability of the deal, arguing that Tortoise would not be able to protect The Observer’s future better than the Scott Trust.
Well-known figures including British authors, actors, and former editors have spoken out against the sale. A group of five former editors recently wrote to the Scott Trust warning that the sale was a “gamble” and urging for negotiations to be paused.
The strike comes after the details of the deal were revealed in September, catching journalists off guard. The Scott Trust has wanted to ensure it remains one of the largest shareholders with a say in The Observer’s editorial direction. However, Sonia Sodha, a columnist for The Observer, said that rushing into the sale without consultation puts both Observer and Guardian journalism at risk.
The Guardian executives have stated that the sale would allow them to focus on international expansion. But the journalists are concerned that separating The Observer from the seven-day operation of The Guardian would reduce its reach and ability to provide top journalism throughout the weekend.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/04/business/guardian-strike-observer.html