FOI - Guardian Media Group [Jan 2025]

Your request 

It has been reported that Mayor of London Sadiq Khan wrote to Anna Bateson of the Guardian Media Group (GMG) earlier this year to express concerns about the sale of the Observer to Tortoise Media.

My request is as follows:

1. How many letters has Mr Khan and/or his representatives sent to Ms Bateson that relate fully or partially to the sale of the Observer to Tortoise Media?
2. How many replies has Mr Khan received from Ms Bateson or the GMG that relate fully or partially to the sale of the Observer to Tortoise Media?

Please provide full copies of all the correspondence sent and received by Mr Khan with the GMG that relates fully or partially to the sale of the Observer to Tortoise Media?

Our response

Please find below the copy of the letter that we hold within the scope of your request:

I hope all is well with you. I want to open this letter by putting on record how much I value the job the Guardian Media Group’s output does in holding politicians and others to account and standing up for progress. I appreciate that this is an extremely challenging period for everyone in print journalism, but I wanted to let you know my views on the proposed sale of the Observer.

As the world’s first Sunday newspaper, the Observer has a unique legacy that stretches 233 years. The Observer has been a vital voice for liberal and progressive values for decades, and with the tide of populism rising across the world, there has never been a more important time for its fearless and high-quality news, thought and analysis.

I’m aware that a number of your staff are taking strike action this week linked to your potential sale to Tortoise Media. I’m also aware that a lot of your staff are incredibly worried about the future of their jobs, and what would happen as a result of the sale. The Observer boasts an incredibly loyal team of journalists who are dedicated to protecting the future and security of an organisation that champions progressive values.

For the future of liberal journalism, I do think it’s important that staff views are taken into account and a pause to negotiations seems the sensible way forward to ensure THERE CAN BE an open discussion about the Observer’s future, and to consider a wide range of options to secure the future of the paper.

Despite the huge financial challenges facing print journalism I hope that when a decision is made around the sale, it means that the Observer can survive in its current print form and your team of brilliant journalists can continue their work under an organisation which champions progressive values. In partnership with the Guardian, the continuing strength of the Observer is integral to ensuring the UK has a strong well-resourced liberal voice in our media ecosystem – now more important than ever.

As ever, please drop me a line if I can do anything.

Best wishes