History of The Guardian in Timeline
The Guardian, a British daily newspaper, was founded in Manchester in 1821 as The Manchester Guardian. It changed its name in 1959 and moved to London. Along with its sister publications, The Observer and The Guardian Weekly, it belongs to the Guardian Media Group, owned by the Scott Trust Limited. Established in 1936, the trust aims to ensure the paper's financial and editorial independence and protect its journalistic freedom and liberal values from commercial or political influence. In 2008, the trust became a limited company with a constitution designed to uphold the same protections as the original Scott Trust. Profits are reinvested in journalism, not distributed to owners or shareholders. The Guardian is considered a newspaper of record in the UK.
1907: C.P. Scott Purchases The Guardian
C.P. Scott bought The Manchester Guardian in 1907, becoming its owner and leading it for 57 years.
1911: Irish Social Conditions Documentation
In 1911, The Guardian published articles and drawings by J.M. Synge and Jack Yeats documenting the social conditions in western Ireland.
August 1930: Archival Storage Begins
The practice of storing archival copies of the newspaper in zinc cases started in August 1930.
June 1936: Transfer of Ownership to Scott Trust
In June 1936, ownership of The Guardian was transferred to the Scott Trust to ensure the paper's independence.
1936: Establishment of The Scott Trust
The Scott Trust was established in 1936 to ensure The Guardian's editorial independence.
1936: Establishment of the Scott Trust
The Scott Trust was established in 1936 to ensure the financial and editorial independence of The Guardian, protecting its journalistic freedom and liberal values from commercial or political influence.
1936: Start of the Spanish Civil War Coverage
The Spanish Civil War began in 1936, during which The Guardian earned national recognition for its coverage and support of the Republican government.
1938: Orwell's Praise for The Guardian
In 1938, George Orwell praised The Guardian's honesty in his book "Homage to Catalonia."
1939: End of the Spanish Civil War Coverage
The Spanish Civil War ended in 1939, marking a period of significant reporting for The Guardian.
1948: Support for Israel
In 1948, The Manchester Guardian expressed support for the newly established State of Israel.
1951: Encouraging Readers to Vote Conservative
In the 1951 general election, The Guardian encouraged its readers to vote Conservative, aiming to remove Clement Attlee's Labour government.
1951: Closure of the Anglican Church Newspaper
In 1951, the Anglican Church Newspaper, also called The Guardian, closed. This event predates the Manchester Guardian dropping "Manchester" from its title.
October 1952: News on the Front Page
In October 1952, The Guardian began printing news on its front page, replacing the advertisements that had previously occupied that space, in an effort to modernize.
1956: The Manchester Guardian's opposition to the Suez Crisis
In 1956, The Manchester Guardian vehemently opposed the Anglo-French military intervention in the Suez Canal, characterizing the ultimatum to Egypt as an act of folly driven by short-sighted expediency.
August 1959: Name Change to The Guardian
In August 1959, The Manchester Guardian officially changed its name to The Guardian, reflecting its expanding focus on national and international news.
1959: Name Change and Relocation
In 1959, The Manchester Guardian officially changed its name to The Guardian and moved its operations from Manchester to London.
1959: Name Change to "The Guardian"
In 1959, after the closure of a similarly named newspaper, The Manchester Guardian officially shortened its name to The Guardian.
September 1961: London Printing Begins
In September 1961, The Guardian began printing in London, marking a significant expansion in its reach. This move also saw the appointment of Nesta Roberts as the first female news editor of a British national newspaper.
1961: The Guardian Ceases Printing in Manchester
In 1961, The Guardian stopped printing its newspaper in Manchester. Before this, early, error-prone prints sent to London by train contributed to a perception of the newspaper containing many misprints.
1963: John Cole Improves The Guardian's Editorial Processes
John Cole's appointment as news editor by Alastair Hetherington in 1963 led to the streamlining of The Guardian's editorial processes, addressing the paper's prior "amateurish" setup.
1964: Move to London
The Guardian moved its operations to London in 1964, thereby broadening its focus beyond regional issues.
1965: Guardian Fiction Award Established
The Guardian established its Fiction Award in 1965, which later evolved into the First Book Award.
1967: Guardian Children's Fiction Prize Founded
In 1967, The Guardian founded the Children's Fiction Prize.
1967: End of Archival Storage
The practice of storing archival copies of the newspapers in zinc cases ended in 1967.
January 1972: Bloody Sunday and The Guardian's Response
In January 1972, following the events of Bloody Sunday where British troops fired on civil rights marchers in Northern Ireland, The Guardian published its response, condemning both the actions of the soldiers and the march organizers. The paper criticized the army's use of excessive force while also acknowledging the provocation by some of the marchers.
April 1972: The Guardian's response to the Widgery Tribunal and Internment
In April 1972, The Guardian responded to the Widgery Tribunal's findings on Bloody Sunday, expressing support for the report. The paper also addressed the introduction of internment without trial in Northern Ireland, deeming it "hateful, repressive and undemocratic" while also arguing its inevitability given the circumstances.
1980: Israel Declares Jerusalem Its Capital
In 1980, the Israeli Knesset passed a law declaring Jerusalem, including East Jerusalem, as the country's capital. This action was censured by the UN Security Council via Resolution 478.
1981: Journalists Join Social Democratic Party
In 1981, three of The Guardian's four leader writers joined the Social Democratic Party.
1983: Sarah Tisdall and the Cruise Missiles Leak
In 1983, The Guardian was involved in a controversy involving leaked government documents concerning the deployment of cruise missiles in Britain. Civil servant Sarah Tisdall was jailed for leaking the documents, and the incident sparked debate about journalistic source protection.
February 1988: Redesign and Masthead Change
On February 12, 1988, The Guardian underwent a significant redesign, improving print quality and changing its masthead to a combination of italic Garamond and bold Helvetica.
1988: Previous Masthead Design
In 1988, The Guardian's previous masthead design had been introduced.
1988: Zinc Cases Discovery
The 700 zinc cases containing archived newspapers were rediscovered in 1988.
1992: Launch of G2 Supplement
In 1992, The Guardian launched G2, a tabloid-format supplement, which was later emulated by other broadsheets and contributed to the rise of "compact" papers and The Guardian's shift to the Berliner format.
June 1993: Acquisition of The Observer
In June 1993, The Guardian acquired The Observer, a Sunday newspaper with similar political leanings.
1994: Richard Gott Resignation
In 1994, Richard Gott, The Guardian's literary editor, resigned from his position following accusations of connections with the KGB. Gott admitted to accepting certain benefits but denied receiving direct payments.
1995: Project Syndicate and Intervention in South Africa
In 1995, The Guardian and its parent groups participated in Project Syndicate and intervened to save the Mail & Guardian in South Africa.
1995: Jonathan Aitken Libel Suit
In 1995, Jonathan Aitken launched a libel suit against The Guardian and World in Action over allegations of bribery. Aitken strongly denied the accusations.
1997: Aitken Libel Suit Developments
In 1997, during the ongoing libel case, The Guardian presented evidence contradicting Aitken's claims, significantly impacting the case's progression.
May 1998: The Connection Documentary Exposé
In May 1998, The Guardian published a series of investigations uncovering fabricated content in the ITV documentary "The Connection."
June 1998: Further Documentary Fabrications Revealed
In June 1998, The Guardian continued its investigative reporting, revealing further instances of fabricated content in another Carlton documentary.
1998: Support for Kosovo Intervention
In 1998, The Guardian expressed support for NATO's military intervention in the Kosovo War, advocating for the use of force to protect civilians.
1998: The Guardian Awarded National Newspaper of the Year
The Guardian was recognized as the National Newspaper of the Year in 1998 by the British Press Awards.
1999: Continued Support for Kosovo Intervention
In 1999, The Guardian maintained its support for the NATO intervention in Kosovo.
1999: Guardian Student Media Awards Founded
The Guardian founded the annual Student Media Awards in 1999 to recognize excellence in student journalism and design.
1999: Aitken Found Guilty
In 1999, Jonathan Aitken was found guilty of perjury and perverting the course of justice related to the libel case, marking a significant victory for The Guardian.
1999: Guardian First Book Award Established
The Guardian established the First Book Award in 1999, succeeding the Guardian Fiction Award (1965).
June 2000: Readership and Political Leanings
In June 2000, a MORI poll showed that 80% of Guardian readers were Labour Party voters.
2000: Support for Monarchy Abolition
In 2000, The Guardian expressed its support for the abolition of the British monarchy.
2000: Eppy Award Win
In 2000, The Guardian's online service received an Eppy award from Editor & Publisher for best-designed newspaper online service.
2000: Online Archive Coverage
The initial launch of the online archive in November 2007, extended to the year 2000.
September 2001: The Guardian Wins Front Page of the Year Award
The Guardian received the Front Page of the Year award on September 12, 2001, for "A declaration of war".
2002: The Guardian Wins Front Page of the Year
The Guardian's front page was awarded Front Page of the Year in 2002.
2002: The Newsroom Opens
The Guardian and The Observer launched The Newsroom, an archive and visitor centre in London, in 2002.
2002: Divestment from Mail & Guardian
In 2002, GMG divested from the Mail & Guardian, selling the majority of its shares.
2002: Response to Accusations of Anti-Israel Bias
In 2002, The Guardian addressed accusations of anti-Israel bias, condemning antisemitism and defending its right to criticize Israeli government policies, while denying any inherent bias in its coverage.
January 2003: Stance on Iraq War
In January 2003, The Observer, owned by GMG, expressed support for potential military action in Iraq, although The Guardian opposed it.
December 2003: Julie Burchill Departure
In December 2003, columnist Julie Burchill left The Guardian, citing what she perceived as an anti-Israel bias as one of her reasons for leaving.
2003: Annual Audit and Readers' Editor
Since 2003, The Guardian has conducted an annual social, ethical, and environmental audit and employed a readers' editor.
2003: GuardianFilms Launched
The Guardian established GuardianFilms, a film production company led by journalist Maggie O'Kane, in 2003, focusing on documentaries, some of which were broadcast on prominent networks like BBC and CNN International.
2003: Planned Online Archive Extension
The Guardian planned to eventually extend its online archive up to 2003.
July 2004: Guardian Soulmates Launches
The Guardian's foray into online dating began in July 2004 with the launch of Guardian Soulmates.
August 2004: The Guardian Launches "Operation Clark County" Campaign
In August 2004, The Guardian's G2 supplement initiated "Operation Clark County", an experimental campaign aimed at influencing undecided voters in Clark County, Ohio, during the US presidential election. Readers were encouraged to write letters to these voters, emphasizing the international perspective and urging them to vote against President George W. Bush.
October 2004: "Operation Clark County" Campaign Terminated
In October 2004, after receiving extensive negative feedback, The Guardian abandoned its "Operation Clark County" campaign. The largely critical response to the campaign, which encouraged readers to write to undecided voters in Ohio, prompted the newspaper to halt the initiative before the US presidential election concluded.
October 2004: Charlie Brooker Column Controversy
In October 2004, a column by Charlie Brooker in The Guardian sparked controversy due to a remark interpreted by some as advocating violence against George W. Bush. Both Brooker and the paper subsequently issued apologies, clarifying the statement as ironic.
December 2004: Circulation Before Format Change
In December 2004, The Guardian's circulation figures served as a benchmark against which to measure the impact of the format change the following year.
2004: Centre-Left Identity
In 2004, The Guardian openly identified as a centre-left newspaper.
2004: Announcement of Format Change
In 2004, The Guardian revealed its intentions to change to the Berliner format.
2004: GuardianFilms Receives Amnesty International Media Award
In 2004, GuardianFilms was honored with an Amnesty International Media Award.
2004: Paul Foot Award Established
Following Paul Foot's death in 2004, The Guardian and Private Eye established the Paul Foot Award for investigative journalism.
July 2005: Dilpazier Aslam Controversy
In July 2005, following the London bombings, The Guardian faced scrutiny after publishing an article by Dilpazier Aslam, a trainee journalist with ties to the Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir. Aslam's employment was terminated after he refused to resign from the group.
September 2005: Berliner Format Change
On September 12, 2005, The Guardian switched to the Berliner format, slightly larger than a tabloid. This change followed similar moves by The Independent and The Times.
September 2005: Redesign and New Masthead
Along with the format change, The Guardian unveiled a redesigned look, including a new masthead—its first since 1988—and a new typeface family designed by Paul Barnes and Christian Schwartz on September 9, 2005, officially launching on September 12, 2005.
December 2005: Circulation Rise After Format Change
Following the switch to the Berliner format, The Guardian saw a circulation increase, with average daily sales reaching 380,693 in December 2005, up nearly 6 percent from December 2004.
2005: The Guardian Enters Podcasting
The Guardian ventured into podcasting in 2005, starting with a twelve-part series by Ricky Gervais.
2005: Webby Award Win
In 2005, guardian.co.uk won the Best Newspaper category in the Webby Awards, surpassing major publications like The New York Times and The Washington Post.
2005: Operating Losses Reported
In 2005, The National Newspaper division of GMG reported operating losses of £18.6 million.
2005: Redesign of the Masthead
In 2005, The Guardian redesigned its masthead again, marking a visual shift for the publication.
2005: The Guardian Wins National Newspaper of the Year and World's Best-designed Newspaper
In 2005, The Guardian earned the National Newspaper of the Year title and shared the World's Best-designed Newspaper award.
2005: GuardianFilms Receives Amnesty International Media Award and Royal Television Society Award
GuardianFilms received its second Amnesty International Media Award and a Royal Television Society Award for 'The Baghdad Blogger: Salam Pax' in 2005.
2005: Readership and Political Affiliations
A 2005 MORI poll indicated that 48% of Guardian readers voted Labour and 34% voted Liberal Democrat.
2005: Growing Influence and Readership
In 2005, The Guardian's increasing influence was noted.
January 2006: Ricky Gervais Podcast Tops iTunes Chart
In January 2006, Ricky Gervais' podcast for The Guardian reached the top of the iTunes podcast chart with two million downloads globally, set to be recognized in the 2007 Guinness Book of Records.
January 2006: Observer Format Change
On January 8, 2006, The Observer, The Guardian's sister Sunday newspaper, also adopted the Berliner format.
2006: Increased Operating Losses
In 2006, The National Newspaper division of GMG, including The Observer, reported increased operating losses of £49.9 million, up from £18.6 million in 2005.
2006: Webby Award Win
The guardian.co.uk website won the Webby Award for Best Newspaper for the second consecutive year in 2006.
2006: Award for Best-Designed Newspaper
In 2006, The Guardian and Polish daily Rzeczpospolita were recognized by the Society for News Design as the world's best-designed newspapers.
2006: Côte d'Ivoire Toxic Waste Dump Scandal
In 2006, a toxic waste dumping incident occurred in Côte d'Ivoire, resulting in a major health crisis and subsequent legal action against Trafigura.
November 2007: Online Archive Launch
The Guardian and The Observer made their archives available online through DigitalArchive in November 2007, initially covering 1821-2000 and 1791-2000 respectively.
2007: Launch of Guardian Abroad
In 2007, The Guardian launched Guardian Abroad, a website aimed at expatriates. This website was active in conjunction with the international edition of the paper.
2007: Ricky Gervais Podcast Scheduled for Guinness Book of Records
Ricky Gervais' podcast for The Guardian was set to appear in the 2007 Guinness Book of Records for most downloads.
2007: The Guardian Wins World's Best-designed Newspaper Award
In 2007, The Guardian was co-winner of the World's Best-designed Newspaper award.
2007: The Guardian Launches Guardian America
In 2007, The Guardian launched Guardian America, a platform designed to cater to its growing online readership in the United States. Led by Michael Tomasky, the project aimed to provide US-focused news coverage and analysis, leveraging The Guardian's existing resources and expertise.
2007: Webby Award Win
For the third year in a row, guardian.co.uk was awarded the Best Newspaper Webby Award in 2007.
2007: Start of Side Businesses Divestment
In 2007, The Guardian Media Group began selling its side businesses, including regional papers and online classifieds portals.
2007: Fictional Guardian Journalist Appears in "The Bourne Ultimatum"
A fictional Guardian journalist, played by Paddy Considine, appeared in the 2007 film "The Bourne Ultimatum".
2007: Transparency Ranking
A 2007 study by the International Center for Media and the Public Agenda ranked The Guardian first in transparency among 25 mainstream English-language media outlets.
2007: GuardianFilms Wins Emmy Award
"Baghdad: A Doctor's Story", produced by GuardianFilms, won an Emmy for Best International Current Affairs film in 2007.
October 2008: Transfer of Scott Trust Assets
In October 2008, The Scott Trust's assets were transferred to The Scott Trust Limited, maintaining its aims of editorial independence.
2008: Scott Trust Becomes a Limited Company
In 2008, the Scott Trust transitioned into a limited company, while maintaining the same protections for The Guardian's independence as the original trust structure.
2008: Newsroom Components Relocated
The Newsroom's remaining components, including the Education Centre and exhibition space, were also transferred to Kings Place in 2008.
2008: The Newsroom Relocates
In 2008, The Newsroom's activities moved to Kings Place and became The Guardian News & Media archive.
2008: Editorial Contributors' Political Spectrum
In 2008, The Guardian's editorial contributors were described as ranging from right-of-centre libertarians to left-leaning individuals.
2008: GuardianFilms Wins Royal Television Society Award and One World Media Award, and Broadcast Award
GuardianFilms won the Royal Television Society award for 'Inside the Surge' in 2008 and an award for outstanding new media output for the Katine website at the One World Media awards. Their undercover report on vote-rigging in Zimbabwe also won a Broadcast Award in the same year.
February 2009: Michael Tomasky Steps Down as Editor of Guardian America
In February 2009, Michael Tomasky transitioned from his role as editor of Guardian America to become editor-at-large. While retaining his contributions as a columnist and blogger, he stepped back from the platform's editorial leadership.
September 2009: Injunction Lifted on Reporting of Trafigura Case
In September 2009, a gagging order that prevented The Guardian from reporting on Trafigura's involvement in the 2006 Côte d'Ivoire toxic waste dump was lifted. Carter-Ruck, acting for Trafigura, withdrew the injunction, and the company settled the related case. The swift reversal was partly attributed to the role of social media, specifically Twitter, in bringing the case into public focus.
October 2009: Guardian America Website Abandoned
The Guardian America website, an attempt to gain more readers in the United States, was discontinued in October 2009.
October 2009: The Guardian Prevented from Reporting on Parliamentary Matter
In October 2009, The Guardian reported being legally restricted from disclosing information about a parliamentary matter. The newspaper highlighted this as an unprecedented constraint on its reporting of Parliament, raising concerns about free speech. While unable to divulge details due to legal obstacles, The Guardian mentioned the involvement of London solicitors Carter-Ruck.
October 2009: Guardian America Homepage Discontinued
In October 2009, The Guardian discontinued the dedicated Guardian America homepage, redirecting users to a US news index page within its main website. This marked a shift in the newspaper's US strategy, coinciding with broader cost-cutting measures.
2009: The Guardian Launches iOS Mobile App
The Guardian released its iOS mobile application in 2009, providing access to its content on Apple devices.
2009: Printing Press Contracts
The Guardian's printing press contracts with other newspaper groups, including Telegraph Newspapers and Express Newspapers, presented complexities in its shift to the Berliner format, as those contracts extended until 2009.
2009: Tax Investigations and Phone Hacking Scandal
In 2009, The Guardian launched investigations into tax practices of major UK companies and played a significant role in uncovering the News of the World phone hacking scandal.
March 2010: Sale of Regional Media Division
In March 2010, GMG sold its Regional Media division, including the Manchester Evening News, to Trinity Mirror to safeguard The Guardian's future.
2010: Fidel Narváez begins work at embassy
Fidel Narváez began working at the Ecuadorian embassy in London in 2010.
2010: Support for Liberal Democrats
In 2010, The Guardian endorsed the Liberal Democrats in the general election.
2010: The Guardian Wins National Newspaper of the Year
The British Press Awards named The Guardian the National Newspaper of the Year in 2010.
February 2011: The Guardian's Stance on Slavery
In February 2011, Martin Kettle wrote about The Guardian's historical stance on slavery, highlighting its criticism of the Union's handling of slavery and Lincoln's approach.
February 2011: The Guardian Closes Talkboards After Libel Action
In February 2011, The Guardian shut down its talkboards following a settled libel case. The talkboards were known for political discussion and lighthearted banter and were often satirized in The Guardian's own 'Chatroom' column. The libel action stemmed from months of harassment against a Conservative Party activist.
March 2011: Discussion on Media Self-Censorship
In March 2011, Assistant Editor Michael White discussed media self-censorship, suggesting a reluctance to cover certain topics like immigration and welfare fraud, while focusing on others like the wealthy, religious figures, and specific political groups.
April 2011: The Guardian Ranks Fifth Globally Among Newspaper Websites
In April 2011, MediaWeek ranked The Guardian as the fifth most popular newspaper website worldwide.
June 2011: Shift to Online Focus
In June 2011, Guardian News and Media announced increased losses and a plan to focus on its online edition for news, with print containing more commentary and features.
June 2011: Josh Treviño Joins The Guardian Amidst Controversy
In June 2011, Josh Treviño, a former speechwriter for George W. Bush, joined The Guardian. His appointment was met with renewed controversy surrounding a previous tweet he had posted about the second Gaza flotilla. His first blog post on The Guardian addressed the controversy, offering an apology.
September 2011: Guardian US Launches
In September 2011, The Guardian launched Guardian US, a new platform led by editor-in-chief Janine Gibson, replacing the former Guardian America service. This marked a renewed effort by The Guardian to expand its presence in the United States.
November 2011: The Guardian Addresses Language Concerns Regarding Jews and Israel
In November 2011, The Guardian's readers' editor, Chris Elliott, called for increased vigilance in the language used when reporting on Jewish people and Israel. This followed several complaints about perceived anti-Semitism in articles over the preceding nine months, with some content being revised and footnoted to reflect these changes.
2011: News International Phone-hacking Scandal
In 2011, The Guardian played a key role in exposing the News International phone-hacking scandal, leading to the closure of the News of the World.
2011: US Edition Launch
The Guardian launched a US edition in 2011.
2011: The Guardian Launches Android Mobile App
Following the iOS launch, The Guardian introduced an Android app in 2011, expanding its mobile reach.
January 2012: Circulation Figures
In January 2012, The Guardian had a certified average daily circulation which served as a baseline for comparison to the declining figures later that year.
June 2012: Questions about The Guardian's Survival
By June 2012, The Guardian's losses reached £100,000 a day, prompting questions about the paper's survival.
December 2012: Circulation Drop
In December 2012, The Guardian's certified average daily circulation dropped to 204,222, an 11.25 percent decrease from January 2012, and significantly lower than competitors like The Daily Telegraph and The Times.
December 2012: Circulation Drop
Despite the initial increase following the format change, The Guardian's circulation had dropped to 204,222 by December 2012.
2012: Guardian Abroad Taken Offline
By 2012, The Guardian Abroad website had been taken offline.
2012: The Guardian Clarifies Its Position on Jerusalem as Israel's Capital
In 2012, The Guardian issued a correction after wrongly referring to Tel Aviv as the capital of Israel. Following a complaint and subsequent reversal of an initial ruling by the Press Complaints Commission, The Guardian acknowledged its error. It clarified its position, stating that while Jerusalem's status as Israel's capital is not internationally recognized, Tel Aviv is not the capital either. The newspaper's style guide was amended accordingly.
March 2013: Further Circulation Decline
By March 2013, The Guardian's average daily circulation had fallen further to 193,586.
May 2013: The Guardian's Website Becomes Most Popular in the UK
By May 2013, The Guardian's website, offering free access to current and archived news, became the UK's most popular newspaper website, surpassing Mail Online with 8.2 million unique monthly visitors.
June 2013: PRISM Surveillance Program Revealed
In June 2013, The Guardian broke the news of the PRISM surveillance program, leaked by Edward Snowden, revealing the US government's collection of Verizon telephone records.
June 2013: Verizon Telephone Records Revelation
In June 2013, The Guardian broke the news about the Obama administration's secret collection of Verizon telephone records.
August 2013: Thinkfluencer Webshow Launched
In August 2013, The Guardian Multimedia, in collaboration with Arte, launched 'Thinkfluencer', a webshow.
2013: Australian Edition Launch
The Guardian launched its Australian edition in 2013.
2013: The Guardian Employees Depicted in "The Fifth Estate"
The Guardian staff members were portrayed in the 2013 film "The Fifth Estate".
2013: Support for Hugo Chávez
In 2013, The Guardian's Latin America correspondent Rory Carroll revealed that many editors at the newspaper supported Hugo Chávez due to his left-wing political stance.
2013: The Guardian Wins National Newspaper of the Year and World's Best-designed Newspaper
In 2013, The Guardian was awarded both National Newspaper of the Year and World's Best-designed Newspaper.
2013: Alleged First Manafort-Assange Meeting
According to The Guardian article published in 2018, the first alleged secret meeting between Paul Manafort and Julian Assange happened sometime in 2013 inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London.
June 2014: Destruction of Snowden Hard Drives
In June 2014, The Guardian destroyed hard drives containing Snowden's information under pressure from the UK government, aiming to prevent legal action that could have stopped them from publishing it. The destroyed information reportedly contained details about a secret internet monitoring base.
July 2014: Sale of Side Businesses and Capital Acquisition
By July 2014, The Guardian Media Group sold its side businesses, acquiring a capital stock of £838.3 million to ensure the paper's independence.
August 2014: The Guardian Publishes Controversial Pro-Israel Advert During Gaza Conflict
During the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict, The Guardian published a pro-Israel advertisement that sparked controversy due to its language. The ad featured Elie Wiesel and compared Hamas' actions to child sacrifice, drawing criticism for its tone and potentially insensitive comparison. The Guardian's readers' editor, Chris Elliott, later expressed concerns, suggesting that the newspaper should have negotiated the advert's wording with the advertiser.
2014: Membership Scheme Launched
In 2014, The Guardian launched a membership scheme to address financial losses without implementing a paywall.
2014: Pulitzer Prize
The Guardian US and The Washington Post were jointly awarded the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for public service for their coverage of the NSA and GCHQ surveillance programs revealed by Edward Snowden.
2014: Newspaper of the Year Award
The Guardian was named "newspaper of the year" in 2014 for its reporting on government surveillance.
2014: The Guardian Wins World's Best-designed Newspaper Award
The Guardian won the World's Best-designed Newspaper award in 2014.
June 2015: Lee Glendinning Appointed Head of Guardian US
In June 2015, Lee Glendinning was appointed to lead Guardian US, succeeding Katharine Viner, who had become editor-in-chief of Guardian News and Media.
2015: Katharine Viner Becomes Editor-in-Chief
Katharine Viner succeeded Alan Rusbridger as editor-in-chief of The Guardian in 2015.
2015: Alleged Second Manafort-Assange Meeting
The Guardian's 2018 article alleged that a second secret meeting between Paul Manafort and Julian Assange took place in 2015 inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London.
2015: Labour Party Leadership Election
In the 2015 Labour Party leadership election, The Guardian supported Yvette Cooper and criticized Jeremy Corbyn. Despite this, the paper endorsed the Labour Party under Corbyn's leadership in the 2017 and 2019 general elections, while also suggesting voting for other opposition parties in certain seats.
2015: Endorsement of the Labour Party
During the 2015 UK general election, The Guardian endorsed the Labour Party.
2015: Support for Labour Party
In 2015, The Guardian switched its support to the Labour Party.
January 2016: Cost-Cutting Measures Announced
In January 2016, The Guardian announced plans to cut staff and costs by 20% within three years due to larger-than-predicted losses.
December 2016: Continued Circulation Decline
The decline in circulation continued, reaching 161,091 in December 2016, a 2.98 percent year-on-year decrease.
2016: Alleged Third Manafort-Assange Meeting
A third secret meeting between Paul Manafort and Julian Assange allegedly took place in 2016, as reported by The Guardian in 2018.
2016: Establishment of U.S. Philanthropic Arm
In 2016, The Guardian established a U.S. philanthropic arm to raise funds for specific reporting projects from various sources.
2016: Retraction of Joseph Mayton Articles
In 2016, The Guardian retracted 13 articles by Joseph Mayton due to fabricated information, issuing an apology to readers and those misrepresented.
2016: Brexit Referendum
The Guardian endorsed remaining in the EU during the 2016 referendum.
2016: Footballer of the Year Award Established
The Guardian introduced its annual Footballer of the Year award in 2016, recognizing remarkable contributions to football regardless of gender.
2016: Panama Papers Investigation
The Guardian led the investigation into the Panama Papers in 2016, revealing David Cameron's links to offshore accounts.
2016: The Guardian Employees Depicted in "Snowden"
The Guardian's role in the Edward Snowden revelations was depicted in the 2016 film "Snowden".
January 2017: WhatsApp "Backdoor" Claim
In January 2017, The Guardian published an article claiming WhatsApp had a "backdoor", a claim disputed by cryptographers.
June 2017: WhatsApp Article Amendment
In June 2017, The Guardian's readers' editor addressed the flawed reporting on the WhatsApp "backdoor" claim and the article was amended.
June 2017: Announcement of Return to Tabloid Format
Guardian Media Group announced in June 2017 that both The Guardian and The Observer would revert to tabloid format in early 2018.
October 2017: Start of Most Trusted Period
The period between October 2017 and September 2018 began, during which The Guardian's print edition was later recognized as the most trusted in the UK.
2017: Endorsement of Labour and Other Opposition Parties
In 2017, The Guardian endorsed the Labour party, led by Jeremy Corbyn, in the general election. The paper also advocated for voting for other opposition parties where Labour had less chance of winning.
2017: Guardian Environmental Reporting Wins SEAL Awards
The Guardian's environmental reporting, by Damian Carrington and George Monbiot, received SEAL Environmental Journalism Awards in 2017.
2017: Financial Performance
In 2017, GMG reported a loss of £38.9 million from news and media operations.
January 2018: Relaunch in Tabloid Format
The Guardian and The Observer officially relaunched in the tabloid format on January 15, 2018. Printing was outsourced to Trinity Mirror.
April 2018: Digital Growth and Cost Reduction
By April 2018, digital editions accounted for over 50% of GMG's revenue, losses were reduced by cost-cutting measures including the switch to tabloid format.
April 2018: Positive Reader Response to Tabloid Format
In April 2018, an assessment showed a rise in subscriptions following The Guardian's format change to tabloid. The editorial team was actively addressing reader complaints regarding specific aspects of the new format.
July 2018: Ecuadorian Consul's Denial
In July 2018, Fidel Narváez, Ecuador's London consul, denied Paul Manafort had visited Assange at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London while Narváez worked there.
July 2018: The Guardian Adjusts Tabloid Masthead
In July 2018, The Guardian modified the masthead of its new tabloid format, changing it to a dark blue color.
September 2018: High Trust Score in Ipsos MORI Poll
In September 2018, an Ipsos MORI poll revealed that The Guardian scored highest for digital-content news trust, with 84% of readers trusting its content.
November 2018: Today in Focus Podcast Launched
On November 1, 2018, The Guardian introduced 'Today in Focus', a daily news podcast hosted by Anushka Asthana, which quickly gained popularity and became one of the UK's most downloaded podcasts.
November 2018: Alleged Manafort-Assange Meetings
In November 2018, The Guardian published an article alleging secret meetings between Paul Manafort and Julian Assange, a claim both individuals denied. The newspaper faced criticism and legal threats but has not retracted the story.
December 2018: Most Trusted UK Print Edition
A December 2018 report stated that The Guardian's print edition was deemed the most trusted in the UK between October 2017 and September 2018.
2018: The Guardian Redesigns Apps and Mobile Website
In 2018, coinciding with the tabloid relaunch, The Guardian redesigned its mobile apps and website.
2018: 100 Best Female Footballers List Launched
In 2018, The Guardian started co-producing "The 100 Best Female Footballers In The World" alongside the men's list.
2018: Tabloid Format Adoption
In 2018, The Guardian adopted the tabloid format for its main newsprint sections.
2018: Guardian Environmental Reporting Wins SEAL Awards
Damian Carrington and Johnathan Watts won SEAL Environmental Journalism Awards in 2018 for their environmental reporting in The Guardian.
2018: Membership Scheme Success
By 2018, The Guardian's membership scheme had achieved considerable success, bringing in more than 1 million subscriptions or donations.
April 2019: Membership Scheme Success and Break-Even Hope
By April 2019, The Guardian's membership scheme, launched in 2014, aimed to help the paper break even, having gained over 1 million subscriptions or donations.
2019: The Guardian Employees Depicted in "Official Secrets"
The movie "Official Secrets", released in 2019, features depictions of employees from The Guardian.
2019: Guardian Environmental Reporting Wins SEAL Awards
The Guardian's environmental journalists, Johnathan Watts and Fiona Harvey, won SEAL Environmental Journalism Awards in 2019.
2019: Endorsement of Labour and Other Opposition Parties
In 2019, similar to 2017, The Guardian endorsed the Labour party under Corbyn's leadership while also recommending votes for other opposition parties in specific constituencies during the general election.
2019: Re-examining the Tisdall Incident
In 2019, discussions resurfaced about The Guardian's handling of the Sarah Tisdall case, specifically revisiting the editor's decision to comply with the court order and its implications for source protection.
2019: The Guardian Changes Format to Tabloid Size
In 2019, The Guardian switched to a tabloid format to cut costs, enabling printing by a wider range of presses. Outsourcing printing to Trinity Mirror presses was projected to save millions of pounds annually. This change was a component of a three-year plan involving 300 job cuts, aiming to reduce losses and achieve profitability by 2019. The paper, ink, and a slightly larger font size remained consistent.
2019: European Parliament Elections
In 2019, The Guardian encouraged its readers to vote for pro-EU candidates in the European Parliament elections, but didn't endorse specific parties.
2019: The Guardian Becomes Profitable
In 2019, The Guardian ceased being loss-making and became profitable for the first time.
2019: Break-Even Point Reached
In 2019, The Guardian Media Group reached a break-even point, reporting a profit (EBITDA) of £0.8 million before exceptional items.
March 2020: Ban on Fossil Fuel Funding
In March 2020, The Guardian announced a ban on accepting funding from fossil fuel extraction companies.
July 2020: Guardian Soulmates Dating Website Closes
In July 2020, The Guardian's dating website, Guardian Soulmates, ceased operations due to the changing online dating landscape and the rise of free and readily available dating apps.
2020: Guardian Environmental Reporting Wins SEAL Award
Fiona Harvey's environmental reporting in The Guardian was recognized with a SEAL Environmental Journalism Award in 2020.
2020: Priti Patel Cartoon Controversy
In 2020, The Guardian faced accusations of racism and misogyny for publishing a cartoon depicting Home Secretary Priti Patel as a cow, referencing her Hindu faith.
January 2021: Launch of La Lista
The Guardian launched its Spanish-language publication, La Lista, in January 2021.
July 2021: Circulation at 105,134
In July 2021, The Guardian's circulation was recorded at 105,134. Later that year, the publication stopped making these figures public.
July 2021: Print Circulation Figures
As of July 2021, The Guardian's print edition had a daily circulation of 105,134.
July 2021: Decline in The Guardian's Online Readership
Despite past successes, The Guardian experienced a significant drop in online readership by July 2021.
May 2022: The Guardian Launches .onion Website on Tor Network
With assistance from Alec Muffett, The Guardian launched a version of its website accessible through the Tor network in May 2022.
October 2022: Suella Braverman's "Wokerati" Comment
In October 2022, Suella Braverman linked "Guardian-reading, tofu-eating wokerati" to Just Stop Oil protests.
December 2022: Cyberattack on The Guardian
In December 2022, The Guardian suffered a ransomware cyberattack, forcing staff to work remotely but not stopping publication.
2022: Guardian Environmental Reporting Wins SEAL Award
Richa Syal of The Guardian was awarded a SEAL Environmental Journalism Award in 2022.
January 2023: Data Breach Confirmation
In January 2023, The Guardian confirmed a data breach following the December cyberattack, impacting UK staff's personal details.
March 2023: Links to Slave Trade Revealed
In March 2023, a study revealed that The Guardian's founder and some of his backers had links to the Atlantic slave trade.
October 2023: The Guardian and Steve Bell Part Ways After Controversial Netanyahu Cartoon
In October 2023, The Guardian decided not to renew cartoonist Steve Bell's contract following a controversial cartoon depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The cartoon, featuring Netanyahu with boxing gloves and a scalpel, was accused of antisemitism due to its perceived allusion to Shakespeare's Shylock. Bell stated that the cartoon was inspired by a 1960s cartoon of Lyndon B. Johnson.
November 2023: Cyprus Confidential Report
In November 2023, The Guardian and partners published "Cyprus Confidential", exposing the financial network supporting Putin's regime. The report prompted responses from officials in Cyprus and European lawmakers.