EDM 546: Sale of the Observer newspaper

That this House expresses serious concerns about the speed of the process and the substantive issues at stake in relation to the proposed sale of the Observer newspaper to Tortoise Media; considers that The Observer, first published in 1791, is a historical national institution known as a source of quality journalism which must be protected for future generations; believes that the deal appears to be being rushed through, without due consideration of alternatives; regrets that the Guardian Media Group and the Scott Trust have not engaged in meaningful consultation with journalistic and editorial staff; condemns the decision to announce in principle support for the sale during the first industrial action taken by members of the National Union of Journalists at the Guardian/Observer for over fifty years called in response to concerns at the deal; believes that the disappearance of Observer content behind an online paywall would be detrimental to the public interest by restricting access to accurate news and a plurality of opinions; and therefore calls on Government to issue a Public Interest Intervention Notice, to allow for further regulatory consideration of the sale’s likely impact.