I just went and canceled my Guardian support and transferred it to this substack. In the past year I've canceled my Washington Post subscription and then the NYTimes. Each time I've transfered that support to a brilliant woman who has been displaced by the current resurgence of white male supremacy. Fuck them!
“It is within you,” she kept on saying. Most of what she taught me was how to stand tall, not be intimidated and to speak directly to people who don’t necessarily want to hear what I have to say; lessons for life”. Now you’ve made me cry, again, Carole! All the very best to you and all your colleagues who’ve been pushed out (or chosen to walk away). This really feels like the end of an era. After reading The Guardian and Observer for decades they’ve lost my trust, and this couldn’t have happened at a worst time given everything that’s going on in the world. Readers and journalists have been badly let down by the board of the Scott Trust and the management!
Carole you are without doubt one of the most influential people of our time. You exposed the Mercer, Bannon, Farage, Tice, Arron Banks, Putin connection, (if Boris had not been part of it that is where is would have crashed and burned), you told the people what was happening in the UK long before they applied the same to elect Trump in 2016 and you predicted exactly what was happening with Musk and the Broligarth Tech Bro's taking over the USA. Now it IS later than we think and it appears that there is little we can do about it, but you have motivated people to show them we absolutely can! Your bravery is beyond anything I have ever seen - you are a true inspiration to Millions of people all over the World! The Guardian/Observer may be gone, but you will grow stronger.
What a huge loss for the Free Press?!! I'm going to watch this story and see if it's being reported on today's cycle. I'm so sorry for you and your colleagues. You have a home here on Substack, and people do actually Read on this platform 🙏 Thank you, and will reStack ASAP 💯👍
Been watching since Thursday/Friday and the silence from everywhere is deafening. Including places I would expect better of. I caved and posted stuff myself. Carole is the first to really speak up about this properly - she was already completely on it herself.
I will sign up to Citizens Dispatch. As a long time reader of The Guardian and The Observer, I no longer believe in the integrity and moral strength of these newspapers.
I admire your courage and energy, and that of your colleagues, and can only wish you well in your future endeavours.
When so many voices around the world are being silenced, discriminated against, and hounded into oblivion, those of us who have nothing to lose must speak up and defend the real and actual freedom of journalists and investigators.
Otherwise, we are all ‘headed for hell in a handbag’.
It is still a beautiful world, in spite of the efforts of the few to ruin it for all of us, and for future generations.
Steve - You can find me on ‘Kaleidoscope’: Robert Comber. My latest post is WITHNAIL AND I, which may interest you. It also includes an Observer article on a new documentary, ‘Boarding on Insanity.’
Last summer when the New York Times failed to support Kamala Harris and the Washington Post owner blocked a pre-written endorsement of her, I cancelled both subscriptions. Today, I still feel the loss of those publications in my daily life. I began subscribing to the Guardian as a literal lifeline. The "transference" of the paper's ownership to a group of nameless investors is heart-breaking and infuriating; yet another valued medium has sold out.
I'm an American, one of many millions who are actively opposing the autocratic wrecking ball we're saddled with. It's despicable in every way.
Carole, your voice and presence in our lives is foundational to the courage we need to muster daily to defend our democracy and protect the quality of our lives. Your TED talk was masterful. I have subscribed to The Citizens Dispatch.
Substack embraces you. Thank you for modeling integrity and courage.
A notable example of a new model in the U.S. is The Contrarian. It’s a consortium of highly respected journalists from legacy organizations like Jennifer Rubin from WashPo, high profile legal experts and litigators like Norm Eisen and Joyce Vance, and other democracy defenders.
They say, “The Contrarian … is unflinching, unapologetic, and unwavering in its commitment to truth-telling.
“… we share an unequivocal determination to defend our fundamental freedoms and the values essential to a pluralistic democracy.”
These are our future free speech holders. Others will follow.
Powerful words, Linda. And yes, I'm in agreement with you.
I've watched as formerly respected press across the world has been taken over. Hijacked, in some cases. It's devastating. Papers with great names and generations of journalists with integrity have been undermined and destroyed at an increasing rate and in such ways that the trust can never be restored. I can't point to a single national daily newspaper of heritage in the English language which can be counted on now.
We have to find new ways to build and restore trust between individual journalists with integrity, and readers, listeners and viewers. Carole is already forging ahead on that, showing the way.
Thank you, Carole, and all the very best for you and your Observerians. It should not have ended this way, surely not. Dark powers seem to prevail at the moment.
My admirations for your two brilliant and increasingly courageous TED talks, and good to hear you have made it through the enormously pressuring SLAP trial, at least one way or another. It must have been beyond fundamental.
Don't know what to say. I have been a Guardian supporter (sort of) for a couple of years, supporting with a little donation every month. I do strongly consider to end this now, and donate to other, better journalistic purposes. Should you have a hint for us all what this might be, please do send word.
Yes I’m all ears too. I support you on here but also have a Guardian monthly subscription. Following this read I’m now wondering what to do. You are such a dedicated, brave journalist. Perhaps I’ll do the same as so many others on here and transfer my guardian payment over to you.
Just a thought, but maybe not particularly fair to hear a Northern Irish accent, from a person doing their job, even in the difficulty of the context you mention, and say it made you think you were about to be violently assaulted by terrorist paramilitaries.
Those of us who are mere consumers of the Guardian and Observer will wait this out before making a choice. However, there is no choice. Where could I get the best journalism, the best financial analysis, the best direct English language reporting? It pains me that this is happening when there are so many worse things happening, Gaza, Sudan, Israel, Trump, Putin, Ukraine, all needing reliable journalism to make the world comprehensive. It will take time to settle.
I know what you mean - but I have found the editorial decisions on Gaza/Israel very painful, which makes unsubscribing less of a wrench… I will try, Novara and Doubledown News and others - but will dearly miss my print newspaper 😔
Thank you for your response. It is difficult to be in safe England when Gaza and Sudan and Ukraine are unsafe to everyone. I started reading the Observer when Andrew Shonfield wrote a small article on economics on page two. I used his column to answer at least two questions in my A level Economics GCE in 1960. What would I do without Philip Pullman and his colleagues who put the world straight for me every Sunday.
This is why I stopped my subscription to the Guardian and now support you on Substack. Thank you for your journalism.
Me too
And me.
Me too.
I just went and canceled my Guardian support and transferred it to this substack. In the past year I've canceled my Washington Post subscription and then the NYTimes. Each time I've transfered that support to a brilliant woman who has been displaced by the current resurgence of white male supremacy. Fuck them!
Ditto!
I followed you here and pay the guardian money to you…I hope more people do. You deserve to be supported and truly independent.
Thank you for putting your head above the parapet so many times
“It is within you,” she kept on saying. Most of what she taught me was how to stand tall, not be intimidated and to speak directly to people who don’t necessarily want to hear what I have to say; lessons for life”. Now you’ve made me cry, again, Carole! All the very best to you and all your colleagues who’ve been pushed out (or chosen to walk away). This really feels like the end of an era. After reading The Guardian and Observer for decades they’ve lost my trust, and this couldn’t have happened at a worst time given everything that’s going on in the world. Readers and journalists have been badly let down by the board of the Scott Trust and the management!
Fuckity bye indeed..
Yep, had to wipe the tears from my eyes as I read this too, Cath. Lovely words from you and I'm smiling again, though.
Carole you are without doubt one of the most influential people of our time. You exposed the Mercer, Bannon, Farage, Tice, Arron Banks, Putin connection, (if Boris had not been part of it that is where is would have crashed and burned), you told the people what was happening in the UK long before they applied the same to elect Trump in 2016 and you predicted exactly what was happening with Musk and the Broligarth Tech Bro's taking over the USA. Now it IS later than we think and it appears that there is little we can do about it, but you have motivated people to show them we absolutely can! Your bravery is beyond anything I have ever seen - you are a true inspiration to Millions of people all over the World! The Guardian/Observer may be gone, but you will grow stronger.
What a huge loss for the Free Press?!! I'm going to watch this story and see if it's being reported on today's cycle. I'm so sorry for you and your colleagues. You have a home here on Substack, and people do actually Read on this platform 🙏 Thank you, and will reStack ASAP 💯👍
Lovely words, Karen. I feel the same way.
Been watching since Thursday/Friday and the silence from everywhere is deafening. Including places I would expect better of. I caved and posted stuff myself. Carole is the first to really speak up about this properly - she was already completely on it herself.
looking forward to whatever you do. you give me hope and inspire courage.
I will sign up to Citizens Dispatch. As a long time reader of The Guardian and The Observer, I no longer believe in the integrity and moral strength of these newspapers.
I admire your courage and energy, and that of your colleagues, and can only wish you well in your future endeavours.
When so many voices around the world are being silenced, discriminated against, and hounded into oblivion, those of us who have nothing to lose must speak up and defend the real and actual freedom of journalists and investigators.
Otherwise, we are all ‘headed for hell in a handbag’.
It is still a beautiful world, in spite of the efforts of the few to ruin it for all of us, and for future generations.
So well said, Robert. I'm with you on this. All of what you have said here.
Steve - You can find me on ‘Kaleidoscope’: Robert Comber. My latest post is WITHNAIL AND I, which may interest you. It also includes an Observer article on a new documentary, ‘Boarding on Insanity.’
Thank you Steve. All the best. R.
RIP the free press, it's been ill for a good while, and very, very few, of importance cared, and those that did; were ignored!
Last summer when the New York Times failed to support Kamala Harris and the Washington Post owner blocked a pre-written endorsement of her, I cancelled both subscriptions. Today, I still feel the loss of those publications in my daily life. I began subscribing to the Guardian as a literal lifeline. The "transference" of the paper's ownership to a group of nameless investors is heart-breaking and infuriating; yet another valued medium has sold out.
I'm an American, one of many millions who are actively opposing the autocratic wrecking ball we're saddled with. It's despicable in every way.
Carole, your voice and presence in our lives is foundational to the courage we need to muster daily to defend our democracy and protect the quality of our lives. Your TED talk was masterful. I have subscribed to The Citizens Dispatch.
Substack embraces you. Thank you for modeling integrity and courage.
"It is within you," indeed. It's within us all.
Indeed she is, Steve.
A notable example of a new model in the U.S. is The Contrarian. It’s a consortium of highly respected journalists from legacy organizations like Jennifer Rubin from WashPo, high profile legal experts and litigators like Norm Eisen and Joyce Vance, and other democracy defenders.
They say, “The Contrarian … is unflinching, unapologetic, and unwavering in its commitment to truth-telling.
“… we share an unequivocal determination to defend our fundamental freedoms and the values essential to a pluralistic democracy.”
These are our future free speech holders. Others will follow.
Powerful words, Linda. And yes, I'm in agreement with you.
I've watched as formerly respected press across the world has been taken over. Hijacked, in some cases. It's devastating. Papers with great names and generations of journalists with integrity have been undermined and destroyed at an increasing rate and in such ways that the trust can never be restored. I can't point to a single national daily newspaper of heritage in the English language which can be counted on now.
We have to find new ways to build and restore trust between individual journalists with integrity, and readers, listeners and viewers. Carole is already forging ahead on that, showing the way.
Carole, have you considered founding a new media organization?
Ohh I wanted her book but this is bigger thinking, I like it!
Totally, but it seems as she says, “next level chutzpah”!
Thank you, Carole, and all the very best for you and your Observerians. It should not have ended this way, surely not. Dark powers seem to prevail at the moment.
My admirations for your two brilliant and increasingly courageous TED talks, and good to hear you have made it through the enormously pressuring SLAP trial, at least one way or another. It must have been beyond fundamental.
Don't know what to say. I have been a Guardian supporter (sort of) for a couple of years, supporting with a little donation every month. I do strongly consider to end this now, and donate to other, better journalistic purposes. Should you have a hint for us all what this might be, please do send word.
All the best!
Yes I’m all ears too. I support you on here but also have a Guardian monthly subscription. Following this read I’m now wondering what to do. You are such a dedicated, brave journalist. Perhaps I’ll do the same as so many others on here and transfer my guardian payment over to you.
Howling in pain, over here.
Great account of a disturbing event.
you are the best Carole!!!!!
Just a thought, but maybe not particularly fair to hear a Northern Irish accent, from a person doing their job, even in the difficulty of the context you mention, and say it made you think you were about to be violently assaulted by terrorist paramilitaries.
Those of us who are mere consumers of the Guardian and Observer will wait this out before making a choice. However, there is no choice. Where could I get the best journalism, the best financial analysis, the best direct English language reporting? It pains me that this is happening when there are so many worse things happening, Gaza, Sudan, Israel, Trump, Putin, Ukraine, all needing reliable journalism to make the world comprehensive. It will take time to settle.
I know what you mean - but I have found the editorial decisions on Gaza/Israel very painful, which makes unsubscribing less of a wrench… I will try, Novara and Doubledown News and others - but will dearly miss my print newspaper 😔
Thank you for your response. It is difficult to be in safe England when Gaza and Sudan and Ukraine are unsafe to everyone. I started reading the Observer when Andrew Shonfield wrote a small article on economics on page two. I used his column to answer at least two questions in my A level Economics GCE in 1960. What would I do without Philip Pullman and his colleagues who put the world straight for me every Sunday.
You have my absolute support. You are my hero. ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹💞 I worry about you and hope you can put your feet up sometimes. Xx