This is a petition for anybody who wishes to support Observer and Guardian journalists, and fearless, independent reporting.

The Observer newspaper is facing a takeover by a loss-making startup called Tortoise Media. 93% of Observer and Guardian journalists voted to take a stand against the sale.

If, like them, you also feel that over two centuries of journalism at the newspaper should be protected from such a takeover, then please sign this petition.

New Information

The Scott Trust Ltd and Guardian Media Group have now rushed through the 'deal' just before Christmas. Contracts have been signed to offload the profit making Observer (estimated value over £30 million) for nothing.

For the past few weeks, Observer/Guardian journalists have been prevented from properly informing their readers on this beyond the letters pages, despite other media organisations reporting regularly and in detail. And they have been threatened regarding posting anything about it on social media.

Journalists are heartbroken. Readers are dismayed: many are cancelling their voluntary subscriptions and donations. MPs from several Parties have tabled an Early Day Motion calling for a "Public Interest Intervention Notice".

While interviewing Observer investigative journalist Carole Cadwalladr, James O'Brien described the situation as "spluttering incomprehension".

Despite assurances being given that due diligence had been conducted, many serious and obvious red flags were missed or ignored. Carole Cadwalladr conducted her own investigation and has independently published her extraordinary findings which you can read here:

https://broligarchy.substack.com/p/who-is-the-money-behind-the-money?

It is an astonishing piece and long because Carole has uncovered a lot. She has discovered that Tortoise Media has multiple backers connected to and heavily involved with fossil fuel energy giants across the world, some with further connections which are profoundly distasteful.

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(Analysing the data, it doesn't seem like contributing financially here assists with signature numbers on this petition, but many thanks to those who did.)

This petition is being regularly updated and will remain open for anyone who wishes to register their dismay. Or, indeed, outrage.

 

 

 

 

Further Action You Can Take, if you would like to

1. Strike Action

The true power of a petition is when it is backed up with action. Therefore, you are cordially invited to join 500+ Observer & Guardian journalists striking all day Thursday and Friday 12th & 13th December, outside the Guardian offices, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. You know, if you are able to and want to.

As well as the 500+ There will be some famous people turning up in support. There is further information on this below in the 'Updates' section. And some lovely pics you can save and print for placards and such at the end of this petition content. There will be cake. Well, it has been threatened.

Further industrial action has been agreed in January 2025.

2. Letters of complaint and demands

Scroll down further for example letters which have been sent and received. Other email addresses you can write to are included:

observer.readers@observer.co.uk

3. Who to follow online for good information on all of this

Wherever you get your social media, search for and follow Carole Cadwalladr, the Guardian/Observer journalist who broke the Cambridge Analytica/Facebook story. On Bluesky she is @carolecadwalla.bsky.social. Plus you can follow Save The Observer @savetheobs.bsky.social, and Guardian and Observer NUJ ‪@gonuj.org‬

You can also follow Belinda Tighe's Facebook group 'Save The Observer' here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/135799485803/

 

Additional Information (not necessary to read, just background info)

In the proposed takeover, The Observer would lose its status alongside The Guardian, and the resources they share. The Observer would lose the protections both newspapers have received historically, and would end up behind a paywall.

Frankly, the terms of the "deal" are a shocker:

Valued at £30 Million, The Observer would be sold to Tortoise Media for... wait for it... nothing. Or a minuscule token amount at most.

Above that, The Scott Trust Ltd, who own and protect The Observer and The Guardian would pay for some Observer staff to remain on under the ownership at Tortoise.

There are ongoing negotiations strongly suggesting that The Scott Trust Ltd will continue with significant financial funding given to (yes, to) Tortoise Media after the buyout. If this could be called a "buyout"?

The 'deal' makes no rational - or indeed reasonable - sense to many people, including the journalists at The Guardian and Observer taking strike action over this during December.

There is limited information coming out around this at the moment, even less at The Observer and The Guardian themselves, ironically. But you can find some reporting on it at the Press Gazette here:

https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/nationals/scott-trust-meeting-tortoise-observer/

https://pressgazette.co.uk/news/observer-editors-letter-tortoise-sale/

 

And this astonishing, scintillating and brilliant piece from Carole Cadwalladr on Substack. It's long, so I'll quote my own favourite bit before the link:

"And I want you to understand what this is: it’s hybrid warfare. It’s across both the real world and the online world. Which by the way are the same thing. It’s hybrid warfare being waged against journalists. And think what that is going to mean when Elon Musk has his hands on the control of the global propaganda machine."

https://broligarchy.substack.com/p/how-to-speak-truth-to-power

 

Example letters which have been sent and received:

1. Initial letter to The Observer

 

 

 

2. Response from Guardian

 

 

 

 

 3. Reply to response

 

 

 

 

 3-page letter to Scott Trust ,GMG etc (thank you to Marsha for supplying):

 Page 1 with many individuals and email addresses listed

 

 

 

 

Page 2

 

 

 

 

Page 3

 

 

 

 

Images you can use online or print out for signs and placards and such

Here are a few official campaign images created by the very excellent Rob Biddulph. Just 'Right click', 'Save as...' and use online or print out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this information about why this petition matters.

Steve Basnett