The Guardian and The Observer office at Kings Place, London, September 17, 2024
TALKS are under way to sell the Observer, the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper, to news website Tortoise Media.
The Guardian Media Group is in exclusive discussions to sell the paper, founded in 1791, to the news business launched in 2019.
Tortoise approached the group with an offer to buy the publication and invest more than £25 million over the next five years in the editorial and commercial side of the business.
It also plans on building the digital Observer and combining with Tortoise’s podcasts, newsletters and live events.
Tortoise was co-founded by James Harding, a former director at BBC News and editor of the Times.
Mr Harding said: “We think The Observer is one of the greatest names in news.
“We believe passionately in its future — both in print and digital.
“We will honour the values and standards set under the Guardian’s great stewardship and uphold the Observer’s uncompromising commitment to editorial independence, evidence-based reporting and journalistic integrity.”
Guardian Media Group chief executive Anna Bateson said it was an “exciting strategic opportunity” for the business with “significant investment” into its future.
