United KingdomOwnership & classification
Founded: 1821
Ownership
The Guardian is published by Guardian News & Media, a subsidiary of Guardian Media Group, which is wholly owned by The Scott Trust Limited. The Scott Trust (created in 1936, reorganised as a limited company in 2008) exists specifically to secure the financial and editorial independence of The Guardian 'in perpetuity' as a quality national newspaper 'without party affiliation.' There is no controlling shareholder, proprietor family or external investor; the Scott Trust board (chaired by Ole Jacob Sunde) appoints the editor-in-chief but does not direct editorial content.
Funding
The Guardian is funded by digital advertising, reader contributions and subscriptions/memberships, and by returns from the Scott Trust Endowment Fund (valued at roughly £1 billion), whose investment income is used to subsidise the journalism and offset operating losses. It runs no paywall, relying instead on voluntary reader support.
Affiliation & stance
The Guardian has a center-left, liberal editorial stance but no party or state ownership; its trust structure is explicitly designed to keep it free of proprietor or political control. It is classified INDEPENDENT because it is privately held by a self-perpetuating trust whose sole purpose is editorial and financial independence, with no party, state, church or oligarch in control.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 463
81/100
Factual
76/100
Objective
521
Articles
513
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
Russia withdraws ambassador to UK as Kremlin raises pressure over Ukraine support
Russia has recalled its ambassador to the UK, Andrey Kelin, as tensions escalate over British military support for Ukraine. The move comes after the Russian embassy warned of 'consequences' following revelations that the UK is supplying attack drones to Kyiv. The Russian embassy in London now has only a chargé d'affaires, Vasily A Tsyganov, remaining. Officials from both countries have commented on the situation, with the Russian embassy accusing the UK of pursuing a confrontational path while the UK reaffirms its support for Ukraine. Former diplomats and military personnel have expressed concern over the deterioration of diplomatic ties.
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.
Holding election in wartime would risk destroying Ukraine, says Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that holding elections during the ongoing war with Russia could risk destabilizing the country. In a briefing with journalists, he criticized the proposal by former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who had been dismissed earlier, calling the idea impractical given Russia's lack of interest in a ceasefire and its military buildup. Zelenskyy emphasized that elections during wartime pose significant risks, comparing them to a 'tsunami' for the state that could split Ukraine. He reiterated his commitment to ending the war and preserving Ukraine's independence. Elections had been suspended since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, but Fedorov's call for new elections marked the first major challenge to Zelenskyy's leadership since the conflict began. Zelenskyy stated he would support elections if international allies provided specific conditions ensuring safety and legitimacy, including military involvement and protection from attacks.
Pine-cone grenades and planet-baking carbon: the French fires 170 years in the making – a visual guide
This article discusses the devastating wildfires that swept through parts of southern France during the summer, highlighting their unprecedented scale and impact. The fires burned more land than ever recorded, displaced more people since World War II, and created a firestorm thundercloud, according to scientists. The article traces the historical roots of the problem back to the 19th century, when Napoleon III mandated the draining of wetlands and planting of pine trees, creating a vast monoculture forest. This ecosystem, while economically significant, is highly susceptible to rapid and intense burning due to the flammable nature of pine resin, needles, and cones. The current crisis is exacerbated by climate change, with rising global temperatures and extreme heat and drought conditions contributing to the severity of the blazes.
Canada vows to match Trump’s 50% tariffs after trade deal talks fail
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada will impose retaliatory tariffs matching the 50% US tariffs on Canadian goods, following failed trade negotiations with the United States. The dispute arose after last-minute changes to US proposals were deemed unfair and unreliable, leading Canada to reject the deal. The US tariffs will impact approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian exports, affecting a wide range of products. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer criticized Canada's actions as a missed opportunity, while Canadian officials emphasized their commitment to protecting domestic industries. The trade conflict threatens the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which is vital to economic ties between the US, Canada, and Mexico. The dispute highlights deepening tensions between the two nations, with both sides seeking concessions on issues like steel, aluminum, and lumber.
Sydney Marathon admits ‘unfortunate error’ as finishers medal depicts Munich stadium as race highlight
The Sydney Marathon organizers acknowledged an 'unfortunate error' in the design of the participation medal, which incorrectly featured the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, instead of a local Sydney landmark. The medal was revealed through an Instagram post by the official Sydney Marathon account, promising runners a 'story of the course in the details.' Runners were expected to see iconic Sydney landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. The error was reported by the BBC and noted humorously by running blogs, with some commenters expressing surprise. The medal's reverse includes a design by First Nations artist Ambrose Killian, representing the marathon route and global major marathons. Organizers emphasized that the error did not detract from the significance of the medal, which symbolizes the dedication of participants.
Seventeen-year-old girl killed in sword attack at school in Sweden
A 17-year-old girl was killed in a sword attack at Brinell High School in Fagersta, Sweden, on Friday afternoon. Three others were injured, including two minors. An 18-year-old suspect was arrested, and police are investigating potential connections to online communities promoting school violence, including references to past attacks and far-right figures like Anders Behring Breivik. The suspect's TikTok account featured images linked to previous incidents. Political leaders, including Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson, visited the area to express condolences. Police later corrected earlier reports stating the suspect was not injured during his arrest.
Fur seal’s death marks first Australian mainland mammal fatality from spreading H5 bird flu strain
A long-nosed fur seal in South Australia has died from the H5 bird flu strain, marking the first confirmed case of the virus affecting a mammal on the mainland. The seal was found dead at Beachport and tested positive for the virus, which has already caused mass mortalities among seabirds like greater crested terns. Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins stated the occurrence was 'not unexpected' as the virus continues to spread, noting that infections in wild birds increase the risk for marine mammals. The virus, which has killed millions of birds globally and affected other mammal species, poses a significant threat to vulnerable wildlife such as the endangered Australian sea lion. Conservation groups warn the outbreak could lead to an 'extinction level event' if the virus continues to spread. Meanwhile, other cases have been reported in penguins across different states, though some deaths have not yet been officially classified as mass mortality events.
Father leaves 7-year-old son alone on Mount Fuji to continue hike, reports say
A father in Japan was scolded by police after leaving his 7-year-old son alone on Mount Fuji during a hike. The child was found sitting on a bench in foggy and rainy conditions at a location above 2,000 meters. The father reportedly told his son to wait while he continued the climb with his older son. The child was discovered by staff at a mountain hut near the sixth station of the hiking trail and was later reunited with his father, who had been located at the eighth station, approximately three hours away. Police criticized the father for his actions, emphasizing that leaving a child unattended on such terrain is unacceptable. The incident occurred along the Fujinomiya route, which is accessible via public transportation.
‘Embryonic’: lost novel by French film-maker Éric Rohmer is republished
The Guardian reports on the republication of 'Élisabeth,' a novel written during World War II by French filmmaker Éric Rohmer under the pseudonym Gilbert Cordier. The book, which explores themes of love, desire, and societal norms in pre-war France, initially failed to gain traction and went out of print. Decades later, it has been reissued in an English translation by Aaron Kerner, receiving praise as a precursor to Rohmer's acclaimed film career. Literary figures such as André Aciman and film critics highlight the novel's significance as a foundational work that foreshadows Rohmer's cinematic style, emphasizing his focus on human behavior and emotional complexity.
Former British and French diplomats urge action over Israel’s ‘erasure’ of Palestine
Over 100 former French and British diplomats have issued a joint letter criticizing Israel's actions in the occupied territories, describing them as an 'erasure' of Palestine and calling for urgent measures such as trade and arms sales bans. The letter accuses Israel of ethnic cleansing and warns that the world no longer perceives Israel as a true democracy. The diplomats argue that Britain and France, having historically influenced the Middle East and recognizing Palestine as a state in 2025, have a responsibility to support equal rights for Israelis and Palestinians. The letter was sent to French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and includes notable figures who previously held high-ranking positions in Middle Eastern diplomacy. This follows recent condemnations by the UK and France, alongside nine other nations, against Israel's planned construction of the E1 settlement project, which they claim undermines peace efforts. In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar defended Israel's right to settle across the country, drawing a parallel to British citizens' rights within the UK.
Sorrow as community pays tribute to ‘shining light’ Lily Hooper after NSW hiking tragedy
An 18-year-old girl named Lily Hooper, described as a vibrant and accomplished young athlete and community member, was found dead after going missing during a hike in the New South Wales southern highlands. Her death has prompted widespread mourning in her hometown of Oakdale, where community members gathered for vigils, placed flowers and lights at a local park, and lit up buildings in her honor. Local organizations, including her martial arts academy and netball club, expressed deep sadness and paid tribute to her positive impact on others. Authorities confirmed her body was discovered eight days after she vanished.
Coles website down after viral Reddit post sees customers buy cases of alcoholic drinks at nearly 80% discount
Coles' website and app experienced multiple outages following a viral Reddit post highlighting a nearly 80% discount on 24-packs of premixed alcoholic drinks. The post, shared by a user associated with the price-tracking site CW Scanner, revealed that Coles subsidiary Liquorland had incorrectly priced these items, leading to widespread confusion and orders. The website and app went offline multiple times on Saturday as the issue unfolded, with some users reporting order cancellations. Coles acknowledged the error as a technical glitch, stating that affected customers would receive refunds. CW Scanner identified numerous affected products, with one offering a $173 discount. This incident follows previous legal findings against Coles for misleading pricing promotions.