In a pivotal New Year message, the chair of the organisation that owns The Guardian has declared that responsible media ownership must act as a stabilising force in an increasingly fractured world.
A World in Flux: The Test for Foundational Values
Ole Jacob Sunde, Chair of the Scott Trust, stated that society is undergoing a fundamental shift. He identified that the rapid pace of change is testing core foundations including democracy, the rule of law, and freedom of expression.
"The responsibility of the media is not abstract. And neither is the responsibility of those who own and steward it," Sunde wrote. For the Scott Trust, the sole shareholder of Guardian News & Media, this duty feels especially acute. Its core purpose is to secure the Guardian's financial and editorial independence in perpetuity, safeguarding its journalism from political or commercial pressures.
The Guardian's Purpose: Providing Clarity and Building Hope
Sunde pointed to widespread societal tension, fuelled by economic stagnation, inequality, and successive global shocks from the pandemic to war. He argued that in this disorienting climate, people need journalism they can trust.
He echoed Editor-in-Chief Katharine Viner's articulation of The Guardian's purpose: to provide "clarity: facts they can trust, information they need". This, he stated, must be coupled with exploring new ideas and building hope, especially when populist figures exploit discontent with simplistic, divisive solutions.
The chair also warned against the pervasive short-termism seen in politics and business, stating it is inadequate for navigating a complex era.
The Structural Guarantee: Defending Independence Year After Year
Sunde framed the Scott Trust's role as fundamentally long-term: to be a calm, consistent force. "Editorial independence is not a slogan. It is something you must build and defend, year after year," he emphasised.
He stated that when tested, an owner must back editors and journalists in challenging power, rather than accommodating it. This independence, he argued, is what strengthens trust with an audience.
The message also addressed technology and the climate emergency, noting that both present dilemmas where short-term gain competes with long-term responsibility. Sunde expressed hope rooted in people choosing responsibility over convenience, highlighting The Guardian's model of being "open to all, funded by many, beholden to no one".
The Scott Trust Ltd is the ultimate owner of The Guardian. It was originally created as a trust in 1936 to safeguard the newspaper's journalistic freedom. In 2008, it became a limited company with the same core purpose: to secure the title's financial and editorial independence forever.
