Dale Vince, the renewable energy entrepreneur and founder of Ecotricity, has publicly declared his interest in purchasing The Observer, should the ongoing negotiations with Tortoise Media fall through.
Vince, known for his commitment to environmental causes and significant financial backing of the Labour Party, envisions holding the iconic Sunday newspaper in a trust to safeguard its editorial independence.
Vince, whose estimated net worth is £100 million, highlighted concerns over the dominance of right-wing media in the UK. In a statement to Press Gazette, he said: “We’ve already got too many right-wing media barons (often tax exiles) controlling what people read and hear and ultimately believe. Out of that concern, I’ve expressed an interest in the sale of The Observer and discussed the situation with the GMG.”
Vince’s proposition echoes the current ownership model under the Scott Trust, which oversees Guardian Media Group (GMG) and is designed to maintain the editorial independence of The Guardian and The Observer. While he did not disclose specifics about his potential bid, Vince emphasised that his primary focus would be ensuring the title’s journalistic freedom and integrity.
At present, GMG is engaged in advanced and exclusive negotiations with Tortoise Media, the “slow news” digital outlet founded by James Harding, a former editor of The Times and director of BBC News. The potential deal has drawn both interest and controversy.
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