'It's cultural vandalism': tears and anger as Observer staff end Guardian era Guardian staff 'banged out' Observer colleagues in emotional scenes as the Sunday paper transfers to start-up Tortoise Media from Tuesday

'It's cultural vandalism': tears and anger as Observer staff end Guardian era inews.co.uk/news/its-cul... @theipaper.com @carolecadwalla.bsky.social @shattenstone.bsky.social @gonuj.org

Putin's People by Catherine Belton review – relentless and convincing This is the most remarkable account so far of Putin’s rise from a KGB operative to deadly agent provocateur in the hated west

I've reviewed dozens of books over the last decade for the Observer, which moves next week to new ownership. I'm grateful to books editor Ursula Kenny and the New Review. Here are some of the ones I've enjoyed, starting with Putin's People by Catherine Belton www.theguardian.com/books/2020/a...

Tomorrow is the final day at The Observer for the vast majority of journalists I know who work there - including the entire team of the New Review. I'll be interested to see in what form the paper continues at Tortoise, but whatever comes next it really is the end of an era. Very strange times.

Observer staff were ‘banged out’ of the building this evening.

Our best wishes to everyone.

NUJ achieves concessions for Guardian & Observer journalists The union has been engaged in negotiations with the Guardian Media Group making significant progress over necessary mitigations for journalists, following members' collective opposition to the sale of...

UPDATE: NUJ achieves concessions for Guardian & Observer journalists

The union has been engaged in negotiations with the Guardian Media Group making significant progress over necessary mitigations for journalists

www.nuj.org.uk/resource/nuj...

@nujofficial.bsky.social

Hi Steve, we'll have an update shortly, which we'll post here. Thanks for your interest

Please have a read of Penny's article! AI & Copyright, the ongoing saga.

Observer newspaper deal attracts government scrutiny Structure and funding of acquisition by digital start-up Tortoise and other investors to be examined

👀 Observer newspaper deal attacts government scrutiny (£)

"Officials have sent letters to the Guardian and Tortoise requesting information about the proposed buyout of The Observer, to help judge whether the deal needs further scrutiny"

www.ft.com/content/20e2... @financialtimes.com

⬇️

🎶 And a Sunday paper for free 🎶

A reminder of the strength of feeling and sense of disbelief among Guardian/Observer @gonuj.org journalists over the mystery giveaway of the world’s oldest Sunday paper to a start-up podcaster that has trimmed its losses by cutting staff numbers ⤵️

Happy Christmas to you, too!

Billy Bragg at the GONUJ strike, December 2024

PS: Happiest of birthdays to Billy Bragg, who came to our strike, sang timeless songs, and raised our hearts

www.instagram.com/reel/DDgv9dA...

@billybragg.bsky.social

In the meantime, and despite the trying circumstances in which we find ourselves, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

(8/8)

GONUJ has informed the company of our intention to take part in disruptive industrial action short of a strike in the New Year. If there are no improvements to mitigations or progress on governance reforms, GONUJ will vote to set substantive new strike dates for later in January.

(7/8)

GONUJ are seeking fundamental reforms to governance and strong protections for Observer and Guardian colleagues. While the company has offered some mitigations, they don’t go in any way far enough to protect the terms and conditions of all Observer and Guardian staff affected. 

(6/8)

We were shocked that the Scott Trust chose to approve the deal while our members were on strike. Making the announcement a week before Christmas is further evidence of the contempt with which the Scott Trust and the company hold the pledge maintained for many decades of “living our values”.

(5/8)

We also believe it represents a serious blow to the Guardian, ceding the UK news agenda to the right wing media at a time when liberal voices are needed more than ever. Historic industrial action, backed by a 93% mandate, laid bare the strength of feeling against this deal.

(4/8)

Tortoise-Observer deal signed and Lucy Rock named print editor Tortoise Media has formally signed the deal to buy The Observer and appointed Lucy Rock as the brand's editor (print).

GONUJ are appalled at the decision to approve the sale of the Observer, in a deal we think will be disastrous for the future of the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper and for liberal journalism.

(3/8)

pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/n...

Guardian & Observer journalists Hardship Fund Donate to the Fund to show solidarity and support colleagues in need of financial assistance.

Guardian and Observer staff striking to stop the sale of the Observer to Tortoise Media lost up to four days’ pay in order to do so. The link to donate to the NUJ’s Guardian and Observer staff hardship fund is here: www.nuj.org.uk/resource/gua...

(2/8)

Save The Observer: Keep the free press free

As we head into the Christmas break, GONUJ want to thank everyone who has supported us, with donations, statements, letters, reposts, and of course joining us on our strike days. Your solidarity is so much appreciated.

We also wanted to update you all on where things stand.

🧵 (1/8)

The journalists really REALLY gave a fuck and have been fighting for three months to stop this… completely ignored by bosses. 😔

26 leading former Guardian/Observer writers express 'horror' at actions of Scott Trust Leading former Guardian/Observer writers including leading authors such as Julian Barnes and Blake Morrisson express horror at Observer sale.

pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/n...

Why foreign correspondents are alarmed and dismayed at plans to sell the Observer | Letter Letter: Current and former contributors to the international pages of the Guardian and Observer respond to an article by Ole Jacob Sunde, chair of the Scott Trust

www.theguardian.com/media/2024/d...

As the Observer’s editor, I was not consulted on its sale to Tortoise Media | Letter Letters: Former Observer editor Paul Webster responds to an article by the chair of the Scott Trust

www.theguardian.com/media/2024/d...

Key questions about the sale of the Observer that remain unanswered | Letter Letters: Observer and Guardian staff and writers respond to an article by the chair of the Scott Trust

www.theguardian.com/media/2024/d...

Hi Richard, thanks for your support.

That piece went out on 7/12 and was followed by response letters from the ex-Observer editor, journalists and readers, in both the Guardian and the Press Gazette, and we posted them across our socials. For ease of reference, we’ll attach them again here:

Could you name any of these journalists and point to links showing them bigging up small state conservatives?

Observer sale confirmed The Guardian/Observer chapel of the NUJ will meet tomorrow to consider the sale of the Observer to Tortoise Media.

The Guardian/Observer chapel of @NUJofficial will meet tomorrow to consider the sale of the Observer to Tortoise Media. Thanks to all who supported the strikes in person - and via a digital picket. It is much appreciated. 🙏#savetheobserver @gonuj.org www.nuj.org.uk/resource/obs...

Tortoise-Observer deal signed and Lucy Rock named print editor Tortoise Media has formally signed the deal to buy The Observer and appointed Lucy Rock as the brand's editor (print).

NEW: Tortoise-Observer deal signed and Lucy Rock named print editor
pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/n...

Observer appoints Lucy Rock as editor as Tortoise Media sale confirmed Title’s first female editor in more than a century will work alongside a digital editor, as Observer builds online brand

www.theguardian.com/media/2024/d...