'This cannot happen': the fight to Save The Observer [#171]

And a Bluesky starter pack for media & publishing people

Photos: Mark Thomas

Huge support for Guardian & Observer journalists on the picket line on the first day of a 48-hour strike in protest at the sale of the Observer to news startup Tortoise.

Great to see the turnout outside the Guardian HQ in King's Cross – including Grayson Perry, Anne Robinson, Lemn Sissay and Michael Rosen (hugging and beaming :), Stewart Lee, Jemma Redgrave, and several MPs.

Plus, lots more messages of solidarity.

The Observer is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper – staff should be celebrating its 233rd birthday this week, but instead, they’re holding their first strike in the newsroom in over 50 years.

Calling for a pause to the exclusive talks with loss-making Tortoise to listen to journalists (who make the paper) and readers and consider other options. It does seem very rushed.

Thanks to the Guardian & Observer NUJ chapel for their work on this, and to everyone who turned up in support or via a digital picket like me. I haven't read the Guardian all week.

There's even support from some picketing pooches, showing solidarity via #dogsfortheobserver. 🐶

Another 48-hour strike is planned on 12-13 Dec.

Mic Wright

has written this piece summarising what's happening at The Observer. I'm with Anthony in the comments:

The Scott Trust has vast assets (£1.4bn) and has no need whatever to sell The Observer for a few million. The whole daft plot should be dumped.

I'm all for innovation and progress, but not giving a paper away.

The Sunday papers are the week's news catch-up platform. It's the only day I sit down (at home or in a café) to enjoy the papers and read longform. I'm more relaxed, receptive and more likely to absorb info, which is important for advertisers.

I also read the papers online but I scan them for info, and don't enjoy it as much. And I ignore the ads.

‼️Just read (Friday morning) that The Scott Trust 12-person board gave the go ahead for the sale at 9 pm while around 500 journalists neared the end of their two-day strike. They faced furious staff this morning - here’s what went on in that internal (heated) meeting.

Back to the doggos and Poodles.World to cheer myself up.

The “Bluesky starter pack”

Bluesky - News-sky is having a moment. Now at nearly 25m users and working towards interoperability.

It’s not as much FUN as X or Reddit - it doesn’t have the same meme culture, but it’s early days. Worth claiming your name and testing it out.

I've created a starter pack for indie Media & Publishing People.

Writers, creators, journos, entrepreneurs - come on over. Ideas and inspo to help you create, collaborate and stay on top of trends.

I plan to do more coffee chats over 'content creation' next year, so this is a good place to connect.

Cheers,
Nika 🥂

PS I’m going to the Journalists’ Carols at St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street on 16 Dec. If you’re in or around London come along. All welcome. It’s a lovely service.

Something to get you in the mood for Christmas. They had a sneaky gig in Hastings this week!