Observer to stay says Guardian Media Group

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 | By Rosie Baker

There will be further editorial integration with sister paper The Guardian but suggestions that the publisher plans to discontinue several sections, including the  Business and Travel sections of the Sunday title, are dismissed as speculation by GNM.

The group says in a statement: “As a result of this review, GNM will develop and introduce a greater degree of integration between the editorial teams of the Guardian and Observer.”

The announcement comes after weeks of speculation about the potential future of the 200 year old title.

Alan Rusbridger, editor-in-chief of Guardian News & Media, said: “Given the present state of recession and digital transition, there isn’t a media group in the world that isn’t reviewing its publishing operations and the nature of its journalism.

In the latest National Readership Survey (NRS) The Observer saw a 4% increase to 1,374,000, while The Observer Magazine and Business & Media supplements also enjoyed growth of 2% and 12% respectively.