In an update on its ongoing strategic review, the group said that GNM will develop its current weekend offering and introduce a greater degree of integration between the editorial teams of the Guardian and Observer.
Speculation has been rife that the Sunday title faced closure, with protest and support quickly whipped up by the journalism union as well as social media groups. A 'Stand Up for the Observer' public meeting had been organised by the industry title Press Gazette and the National Union of Journalists for September 21.
Its publisher, Guardian News & Media, previously refused to comment on speculation circulating since August that the Observer would close and be replaced by a Sunday Guardian title, and stated that it would update in September - which it has done today.
In GNM's statement issued today, it said it had provided staff with an update on this ongoing review, as part of its three-year planning cycle: "One element of the wider process was a review of weekend publishing, which considered a range of different products and editorial structures across Saturday and Sunday."
"In research readers responded very positively to a new-look Observer developed by editor John Mulholland and his team, and to new ideas for the
Saturday Guardian. The further editorial integration will continue a process that began before the two titles moved to a common home at Kings Place," the release stated.
"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," said Alan Rusbridger, editor-in-chief of Guardian News & Media, in the release.
"As a result of the review we will be publishing a formidable weekend package - with two papers that complement each other, each retaining a distinctive tone and voice."
GNM is looking to the future, added Carolyn McCall, chief executive of GNM's parent company, Guardian Media Group, 'to make sure it's in good shape to deal not only with recession but also the profound changes in media that are not going to disappear when advertising markets recover'.
"In this changing media world it is right that the Trust and the company ask the most difficult and searching questions as we consider how best to maintain the health of our journalism. The Trust fully supports the company’s thorough and clear-eyed review of its operations," said Liz Forgan, chair of the Scott Trust, GMG's sole shareholder and owner.
In May 2009, GNM announced 50 editorial redundancies as part of an attempt to reduce costs by £10 million, and earlier this week GNM's managing director Tim Brooks, told staff in a memo posted on the Guardian's intranet that more jobs could be at risk. GNM was losing £100,000 a day – a rate that cannot be afforded by its parent company, Guardian Media Group, he said.
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