The Guardian newspaper

The Guardian is a globally recognized British daily newspaper that prides itself on its independent journalism and progressive editorial stance. Originally founded in Manchester in 1821 as The Manchester Guardian, the publication moved its headquarters to London in 1964 and shortened its name to its current form. It is renowned for its distinctive ownership structure, which protects its editorial independence from commercial or political interference.

The newspaper is printed across various sites in the United Kingdom to ensure national distribution. In the digital age, it has expanded its reach significantly through its website and international editions, particularly in the United States and Australia. Unlike many other major news outlets, it does not have a paywall for its online content, relying instead on a unique reader-funded model alongside advertising revenue.

Ownership of The Guardian is unique in the media landscape. It is owned by the Guardian Media Group, which in turn is owned by the Scott Trust Limited. The Trust was created in 1936 to ensure the financial and editorial independence of the newspaper in perpetuity. Because there are no shareholders to satisfy, the profits generated by the group are reinvested back into journalism rather than being distributed as dividends.