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In 2023, the Guardian and Observer’s journalism has been put to the test more than ever.
From the explosion of violence in the Middle East to the continuing war in Ukraine and from the threats and opportunities of artificial intelligence to the urgency of the climate crisis, our journalism has once again exposed truths, changed minds and helped readers to understand the most complex and challenging issues of our times.
Reporting on war is one of the most difficult and important jobs in journalism. Our team of experienced reporters and editors has worked tirelessly to report clearly and fairly on the horrors witnessed in Israel and Gaza since 7 October, focusing most of all on the civilians who have had their lives torn apart by violence beyond their control.
Journalism from the war in Ukraine became more interesting, not less, from our analysis of Ukrainian arts and culture to what a long war does to the fabric of society.
Deepening our commitment to the continent of Europe, this year the Guardian launched Guardian Europe, a digital edition aimed at our rapidly growing audience of European readers. Our expanded network of European correspondents has been crossing the continent to report on subjects from the fall of the far-right government in Poland to the rise of antisemitism and the surprising chaos of the German train network. Non-European readers are interested in it too.
I hope 2023 will be remembered in Guardian history for the publication of the Scott Trust’s Legacies of Enslavement report, which revealed that the Manchester Guardian was originally founded with money partly derived from enslavement. Our journalistic response to the revelations was the Cotton Capital series, which investigated the connection between the Manchester cotton industry and the horrors of the slave trade. The announcement by the Scott Trust of an apology and a substantial restorative justice fund will play an important part in our long-term efforts to address these historical wrongs.
The climate crisis and its impact on the natural world is a crucial focus of the Guardian’s journalistic mission and something that intersects with all aspects of our work, from politics, policy and science to how we cover fashion, food and travel. In the past 12 months our environment teams have pursued investigations into the polluter elite, dodgy carbon offsets, extraordinary methane leaks, and the injustices and attacks faced by environmental defenders, as well as reporting from major climate and nature summits.
In another strong year for our investigative reporting, Guardian stories have led to the departure of two cabinet ministers, Dominic Raab and Nadhim Zahawi. Our business team’s extraordinary investigation into allegations of rape and sexual harassment at the heart of the Confederation of British Industry led to wholesale changes at the powerful lobbying group, as well as a wide-ranging debate on workplace culture. We’ve scrutinised the ultra-wealthy, dug into the opaque finances of oligarchs, exposed companies spreading disinformation and the archaic rules benefiting the royals. In December a series of stories about the Sellafield nuclear site revealed critical fears about safety as well as a toxic work culture. These scoops, and many others, have had significant impact, including high-profile admissions, national inquiries, legislative changes, and acknowledgments of historical wrongdoing.
Our Australian edition marked its 10th anniversary as a major Australian title during a tumultuous referendum year. Guardian Australia’s position as a prominent platform for Indigenous voices helped cut through the spin and misinformation before the vote. When the campaign to permanently recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in parliament ultimately failed, we were there with readers to offer hope and visions of a way forward.
In the United States our expanding team of reporters has revealed injustices ranging from attacks on voting rights to abuse in prisons and the crisis in American housing. Our politics and democracy teams have documented another incredible year in US politics, reporting on Donald Trump’s indictments, chronicling the unending chaos in Congress and producing thoughtful features, interviews and more from east coast to west.
Against an ever-present backdrop of war, disaster and corruption, we have also tried to bring readers inspiring stories of hope. Our new Euro visions feature shines a light on the best traditions and ideas from Europe, from free public transport to revolutionary childcare. (If you don’t yet have time for a sauna in your life, the experience from Finland could change your mind.) A new start after 60 showcased people who found passions later in life and How we survive captured the spirit of the times. We’ve also celebrated Blind daters who got married and a Dining across the divide pair who became best friends. Our arts team were the first to spot the Barbenheimer phenomenon, paid moving tribute to lost stars from Benjamin Zephaniah to Sinéad O’Connor, and the music team had its biggest Glastonbury ever. We continue to publish the very best features, interviews, podcasts and documentaries and have covered the most significant sporting events across the globe with verve and insight, not least a memorable Women’s World Cup, a strong example of where our dedicated coverage of the tournament, and of women’s sport generally, far exceeds many of our rivals and reaches huge audiences.
Next year our teams will be preparing for elections in the UK and US – as well as other major votes around the world. Democracy itself feels vulnerable
This year our opinion writers have collectively held governments and individual politicians to account as well as telling moving stories of everyday life and untangling the most complex of subjects, from the daily impact of AI to the world’s response to violence in the Middle East. Today in Focus, our flagship news podcast, celebrated five fantastic award-winning years and First Edition, our morning newsletter, quickly established itself as the essential daily briefing.
Next year our teams of reporters and editors will be preparing for the general election in the UK and the presidential election in the US, as well as major votes in at least 38 other countries. Democracy itself feels vulnerable.
For these critical events – and thousands of others – the Guardian and Observer will be there on the ground to report, explain and analyse. We can only do so year after year because of the continuing support of our readers. More than a million people regularly support us financially and make the Guardian open to everyone and not owned by anybody.
These contributions directly fund journalism that exposes injustice and corruption: the kind of journalism that changes lives. They allow us to pursue the truth in all corners of the world. With your help, in 2024 we will endeavour to do even more.
Thank you.
