‘We Will Have to Consider All Options,’ Says The Observer`s Economics Editor In The Day Two Strike
Journalists protest the proposed sale of the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper to Tortoise Media, citing concerns over its future stability
On the second day of a strike by Guardian and Observer journalists opposing the proposed sale of the world's oldest Sunday newspaper to Tortoise Media, the Observer’s economics editor, Phillip Inman, pledged further disruptions if “the situation does not change.”
“We're still waiting to see the outcome of meetings with management. We'll have to consider all options if this doesn't change,” Inman told Borderless Voices.
Following the conclusion of the two-day strike, iPaper confirmed the possibility of further escalation by Guardian staff if the owner of the Scott Trust fails to open negotiations with alternative bidders for The Observer.
In September, Observer staff were informed of a £20 million offer from Tortoise Media. The proposal was presented as a significant investment that would safeguard the title’s future. However, speaking from the picket line at the Guardian’s King’s Cross headquarters, Phillip Inman expressed scepticism about these assurances.
“These are all verbal commitments. Nothing is written down. And even if it were, it could be overridden. Tortoise Media doesn't make any money; it relies on gifts from its founders and benefactors, and it could go broke at any time,” Inman said.
According to Inman, the decision by 93% of journalists to take industrial action on December 4-5 and 12-13 was “incredibly tough.”
“Everyone works at The Guardian and The Observer because they believe in them. We want both titles to prosper. So we did not take this decision lightly at all. It’s a fundamental point of principle,” he added.
The Observer is the UK’s only liberal and progressive Sunday newspaper, with a circulation of approximately 106,000 every weekend. It remains a crucial source of revenue for the group.
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