Journalists at The Guardian and The Observer have voted to strike for two days due to Tortoise Media’s bid to buy The Observer.
The Observer is owned by Guardian Media Group, The Guardian’s parent company. Tortoise began talks to acquire The Observer in September.
Tortoise, a “slow journalism” news startup, has said it “plans to invest over £25 million in the editorial and commercial renewal of the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper”.
The Observer was projected to post losses within three years.
“We have a consortium of investors who can bring not just capital but a commitment for the long term and editorial independence,” said Tortoise founder James Harding.
According to Harding, Tortoise hopes to add around a dozen new staff, retain existing staff contracts, and increase the commissioning budget. The Observer’s print edition would continue, while its digital content would leave The Guardian and be put behind a paywall. The strike is scheduled for December 4 and 5.
“We believe the transfer is a betrayal of the Scott Trust’s commitment to The Observer as part of the Guardian News and Media family,” the National Union of Journalists motion said. “The trust should protect a vital element of the UK and international liberal media and not seek to throw it overboard.”
The Scott Trust owns Guardian Media Group, and is worth UK£1.3 billion.