newspaper ownership

 ownership

-Newspapers are not usually profitable, but instead see as a means of gaining social and political influence 

- As a result, they are often owned by a rich individuals rather than a conglomerate 

e.g. the sun is owned by Rupert Murdoch       and the independent is owned by Alexander Lebedev 

                                              (his son Evegeny Lebedev

how much control do owners have? 

owners are not expected to interfere obviously with their newspaper(s) 

doing this would destroy the newspapers credibility 

editors are frequently interviewed in the media, they always deny that their owner interferes with the content.

however, the owner appoints the editor and they have similar views to the owner 

the scott trust owns the guardian/ observer 

the scott trust values: 

ensures the editors independence of newspapers 

appoint their editors 

ensure the newspapers continue  their liberal traditions and do not affiliate to any political paty 

promote the cause of freedom of the press

                         - anyone can set up a newspaper 

                         -newspapers must not be censored or controlled by the government 

                        -this allows for democratic freedom of speech and expression 

Regardless of The Observer being print and online, they are still owned by the Scott Trust, which exists to ensure newspapers are independent and carry on a liberal tradition: 

-the observer & the guardian do not support one any political party 

-it is key that writers express different political views 

articles should criticise 

-extreme right-wing ideas (that limit freedom for some groups) 

extreme left-wing ideas (that limit freedom of individuals) 

Guardian Media Group sold The Observer to Tortoise Media

Tortoise has agreed a five-year commercial agreement. 

It pay for both print and distribution services. 

The Guardian values and beliefs

They WILL have liberal values as they are owned by The Scott Trust, whose job it is to ensure that newspapers are independent and liberal.

Liberal values = tolerance, fairness and progress through media language, which makes it mainstream.

The target audience are middle class ‘progressives’ who read this newspaper for its liberal viewpoint.

They celebrate and cover stories of different genders, races, ethnicities and sexualities as all people of the world are of equal worth (democracy)…showing the are liberal.

Collaborate with readers and others to have greater impact.

Report fairly on people as well as power and find things out. 

Believe in the rights of each individual (human rights).