United KingdomOwnership & classification
Founded: 1821
Ownership
The Guardian (founded in Manchester in 1821 as The Manchester Guardian) is published by Guardian News & Media, part of Guardian Media Group, which is wholly owned by The Scott Trust Limited. The Scott Trust's defining objective is to safeguard the editorial and financial independence of The Guardian in perpetuity, free of party affiliation. No individual proprietor, family or outside investor holds control; the trust board appoints but does not direct the editor-in-chief.
Funding
Funding comes from advertising, reader subscriptions, memberships and voluntary contributions, supplemented by income from the Scott Trust Endowment Fund (around £1 billion) that cushions operating losses. The Guardian deliberately keeps its journalism outside a hard paywall and leans heavily on direct reader support.
Affiliation & stance
Editorially center-left and liberal, with longstanding sympathies for Labour and progressive causes, but with no party or government ownership. It is classified INDEPENDENT because its unique trust ownership is purpose-built to prevent any party, state or proprietor from controlling its journalism.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Progressivebased on 489
80/100
Factual
73/100
Objective
540
Articles
528
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Badenoch says Reform defectors ‘some of the most dishonest people I have met’
Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, criticized defectors who joined Reform UK, calling them 'some of the most dishonest people' she has encountered. She rejected the idea of forming an electoral alliance with Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, stating there would be no coalition between the parties. Badenoch specifically targeted figures like Robert Jenrick, a former Conservative minister who defected to Reform, accusing him and others of abandoning the party during its lowest moments and pretending they had no role in past issues. She emphasized her desire to avoid 'drama queens' in the party and expressed concerns about Reform's instability, noting their tendency to announce policies and abandon them quickly. Polling data indicates Labour remains the leading party, followed by Reform UK and the Conservatives.
Iranian hackers carry out unprecedented attack on UK’s power network
A UK power generator was forced to shut down for four days after being targeted by Iranian hackers, according to recent reports. This is believed to be the first known instance of Iranian-affiliated hackers successfully disrupting a UK energy facility. The affected site is described as a 'small-scale energy generator,' and authorities confirmed there was no risk to the broader national grid. The incident reportedly prompted the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to issue briefings to power companies and provide guidance to businesses on protecting against cyber threats. Earlier this year, NCSC head Dr. Richard Horne warned that most major cyberattacks on the UK come from state-sponsored actors like China, Iran, and Russia. In response, the UK government is developing a national AI-based cybersecurity system designed to detect and mitigate threats to critical infrastructure.
What to know after multiple deaths in A66 crash involving police car
A multi-vehicle crash occurred on the A66 near South Bank, close to Middlesbrough, in the early hours of Saturday morning, resulting in multiple fatalities. The collision involved a police vehicle and a Volkswagen Passat, with authorities confirming several deaths but not specifying the exact number. Emergency services responded swiftly, deploying numerous resources including ambulances, paramedics, and a doctor from the Great North Air Ambulance Service. Despite their efforts, some patients died at the scene. The A66 remains closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane, and local residents are advised to use alternate routes. Cleveland Police stated that the investigation into the incident is ongoing and urged the public to refrain from speculation. Anna Turley, the local MP for Redcar, expressed her deep sadness over the tragedy and extended condolences to the affected families.
Britain finally gets rain...but it's not enough to reverse drought: Parts of UK hit by showers but reservoirs still run dry as car washes and swimming pools brace for water bans
Britain has experienced its first rain in weeks, though experts warn this may not be sufficient to alleviate the ongoing drought. Several regions, including parts of Kent, Essex, and Sussex, received light or patchy rain after being officially declared in drought earlier in July. Despite this, reservoirs remain critically low, with five recording exceptionally low volumes and seven significantly below normal levels. The southwest region is operating at under two-thirds of its reservoir capacity. Authorities are preparing for potential water restrictions on private swimming pools and car washes due to the severe drought conditions. The dry spell has led to numerous wildfires, including a major incident in Stourbridge that damaged 37 homes. Additionally, Wessex Water has announced a hosepipe ban for the first time in 50 years, affecting 1.4 million customers in areas such as Bath, Somerset, Dorset, and Wiltshire. Cooler and wetter weather is expected by midweek, but the distribution of rainfall remains uncertain.
Burnham to face pressure at Labour conference to recognise Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide
Labour grassroots groups are preparing to challenge Prime Minister Andy Burnham at the upcoming Labour conference, urging him to recognize Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide and implement comprehensive sanctions, including an arms embargo. Multiple organizations, including Momentum and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, are pushing for a motion that would demand the UK government accept a UN commission's findings on genocide and impose trade restrictions. Burnham has apologized for Labour's previous handling of Gaza under former leader Keir Starmer but has avoided using the term 'genocide' to describe Israel's actions. The UK government has indicated potential new measures against Israel, particularly in response to Israeli settlement expansion. Earlier attempts to suppress Palestine-related motions at the Labour conference were met with opposition, leading to an emergency motion supporting action against genocide in Gaza. These groups aim to reframe the issue as a test of Burnham's commitment to progressive policies.
‘The line’s running half-empty’: Llanwern steelworks feels the heat from cheap steel imports
Tata Steel's Llanwern plant in south Wales is operating at about half capacity due to increased competition from cheaper steel imports, particularly from India and Vietnam. The UK government introduced 50% import tariffs in July to counteract this, but revised quotas allowed more low-cost steel into the market. India's galvanised steel quota increased from 98,000 to 125,000 tonnes, while Vietnam's more than tripled to 174,000 tonnes. This has exacerbated challenges for UK producers like Tata, which relies heavily on galvanised steel production. The company has raised concerns with industry ministers, arguing that the current policies threaten the sustainability of their operations and could lead to job losses.
King Charles must 'put his foot down' over Harry and Meghan's return - either he forces the couple to apologise or strips them of their titles, OR ELSE 'the future of the monarchy' will be at stake: RICHARD EDEN sounds alarm on Sussexes' homecoming
In a recent episode of 'Palace Confidential,' commentator Richard Eden expresses concerns about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to return to the United Kingdom with their children. The couple is expected to settle in the UK soon, having already enrolled their children in British schools. King Charles III is reportedly surprised by this development, having hosted the Sussexes at Highgrove just weeks prior. Eden suggests that the monarch should impose an ultimatum on the couple, requiring them to apologize for past criticisms of the royal family and renounce their commercial activities, or face the loss of their titles. He warns that failure to act could lead to the establishment of a rival court within the monarchy, jeopardizing its stability. Columnist Sarah Vine agrees, viewing the move as a strategic attempt by Harry to reassert his royal ties after facing challenges abroad, which she describes as potentially disruptive to the institution.
Heathrow expansion ‘is threat to England’s largest surviving medieval barn’
Campaigners are warning that the proposed expansion of Heathrow Airport could damage England’s largest surviving medieval timber-framed barn, the New Barn at Harmondsworth. Built in 1426, the barn is considered a remarkable example of medieval architecture, with nearly complete original structural timbers. English Heritage, which owns the barn, is hosting a conference in September where experts will discuss the potential impact of the expansion. Justine Bayley, an expert involved in the campaign against Heathrow expansion, claims that aircraft vibrations could 'shake the barn to pieces.' The government is currently consulting on amendments to the Heathrow expansion policy, allowing the public until September 1 to submit objections. Bayley criticizes the government for prioritizing airport expansion over environmental and climate considerations, arguing that it undermines local communities and contradicts previous concerns raised by leaders like Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Thousands of sex offenders in England and Wales could get libido-suppressing drugs
The UK government is considering expanding the use of libido-suppressing drugs for male sex offenders in England and Wales, potentially starting in late 2028. According to Prof Belinda Winder, around 3,750 current prisoners could be eligible for this treatment, which includes medications like SSRIs and anti-androgens aimed at reducing sexual urges. This initiative is part of efforts to address prison overcrowding and reduce recidivism among sex offenders. A pilot program called the Medication to Manage Problematic Sexual Arousal Treatment Pathway (MMPSA) is set to expand from 10 to 20 prisons by November, with further expansion planned into other regions. However, there are concerns about the effectiveness of a potential mandatory approach, with some experts warning that it may not be suitable for a large portion of the prison population.
Chemical suppression: why the UK is exploring libido control drugs to treat sex offenders
The article discusses the UK's exploration of using libido control drugs to manage problematic sexual arousal (PSA) among sex offenders. It highlights the use of antidepressants and anti-androgens to reduce obsessive thoughts and lower testosterone levels. While some European countries like Denmark and France offer voluntary chemical suppression, others such as Poland and South Korea mandate it. The UK considers making such treatments a condition for parole but faces ethical concerns. Historical examples, including Alan Turing's case, illustrate past misuse of chemical castration. The article also mentions programs like Germany's Dunkelfeld project offering confidential therapeutic options.
Girl, 6, dies after being pulled from sea with family in Sussex
A six-year-old girl named Saja El-Khawas drowned in the sea at Shoreham, England, while swimming with her family. She was hospitalized in critical condition following the incident, but later passed away. Her parents, Hassan El-Khawas and Zeina Alayn, and her 14-year-old sister, Sara El-Khawas, also died earlier in the week. The family, originally from the Palestinian Rashidieh Camp in Lebanon, had traveled from London to visit Shoreham. Authorities believe the deaths were accidental, with no evidence of third-party involvement. The local police continue their investigation, and floral tributes have appeared on the beach. The family's solicitors and the Palestinian Forum in Britain confirmed the identities and deaths of the victims. Sara's school expressed grief over her passing, and Prime Minister Andy Burnham reminded the public of the risks associated with open-water swimming during heatwaves.
Abusers coercing or duping women to post explicit OnlyFans content, UK court cases reveal
Recent UK court cases have exposed instances of men coercing or deceiving women into posting explicit content on OnlyFans without their consent. In one case, Alexander Tang, 37, uploaded 47 intimate images and four videos of a woman to OnlyFans and was paid for the content, despite lacking her consent. Another case involved Dean Holmes, 43, who coerced a woman into opening an OnlyFans account to generate income for himself. Holmes was found guilty of rape and other charges after isolating his victim and pressuring her to upload increasingly explicit content. These incidents align with warnings from domestic violence charities, such as Women’s Aid, which noted that coercing young women to set up OnlyFans accounts has become a common form of technology-facilitated abuse. Victims reported feeling ashamed and facing social repercussions after their explicit content was shared online.
Unions worry Labour’s plan for zero-hours contracts may break manifesto pledge
Unions are expressing concerns that Labour's proposed reforms to zero-hours contracts may not fully align with the party's manifesto commitments. The policy, outlined in a consultation document, introduces an upper hours threshold, meaning workers with existing contracts guaranteeing more hours than this limit would not qualify for the new guaranteed hours rights. Business groups have criticized the potential financial impact, estimating annual costs could reach £2.9 billion. Union representatives argue that the policy lacks clarity and may contain loopholes, potentially undermining its effectiveness. They emphasize the need for broader application of the policy to ensure fairness and security for all workers. The Employment Rights Act, which includes these reforms, has been enacted but implementation details remain under discussion.