Comments on Huw Davies' Week Spot: Observer observers need to look beyond sentiment

reading that - "Well Yes." It is someth...

2009-08-09T23:24:42.796+01:00

reading that - "Well Yes." It is something that is GOING to happen. And quite rightly so.

Actually maybe not. Should people have to pay in order to read intelligent writing online? Horribly, people without such funds may be deprived of access to (vaguely) sensical views of news.

Sorry, I'm wonderfully drunk. x

Tessa - I know, there have been stories like that ...

2009-08-09T10:33:09.253+01:00

Tessa - I know, there have been stories like that everywhere. Thanks for giving us the link. It's going to be interesting to see how it pans out.

Jax - People have been blind to The Observer losing money because of the moral and traditional strengths it represents. As newspapers become progressively right wing, it's been necessary for it to keep going as a staple of the left. But in all honesty, people have been wearing rose-tinted glasses and trying not to notice the money it's shovelling down the drain.

Also, regarding paying for newspapers: it's already started. http://www.odt.co.nz/news/business/68829/murdoch-plans-paid-news-web

Yay another interesting and surperbly written blog...

2009-08-06T01:54:04.121+01:00

Yay another interesting and surperbly written blog Huw - thank you.

So am I missing something? How on earth has the Observer been losing about £1 million a month for so long? How on earth is it still going?

I really can't believe that there isn't a more efficent way of running the ship.

Saying that, I have to hold my hands high and admit that I don't buy newspapers, but read them online. But, as I check in on the Guardian website everyday, I think I can honestly say that I would subscribe to it for an appropiate fee if they demanded it.

some funny biz going on with the Observer http://b...

2009-08-05T15:12:37.751+01:00

some funny biz going on with the Observer http://bit.ly/keVAX

Yes, this is another problem with Sunday papers: t...

2009-08-05T14:32:21.618+01:00

Yes, this is another problem with Sunday papers: their apparent need to report on the whole week.

I can understand why they think this, being published only once a week, but they must realise there's little point in reporting news that's three days old.

Could be another area to cut down. Imagine if Sunday papers only reported like a daily. They'd be four pages long.

You're very kind. Amy, I used to read The Sun...

2009-08-05T14:29:56.930+01:00

You're very kind.

Amy, I used to read The Sunday Times for The Funday Times when I was a kid, but times have changed (boom boom). I'm really not a fan of the writing, I'm afraid.

Sof, I think you're right: The Observer has a lot on culture - more than most - so that could be one area to streamline. Otherwise, its owners need to think hard about which supplements are worth their readers' time and which ones aren't. They have a lot of supplements. A lot of supplements.

Also, I thought you were going to leave the country if the Tories go into power anyway? I might join you.

What can I say, I like the photography in the mags...

2009-08-05T14:27:31.688+01:00

What can I say, I like the photography in the mags.

I don't tend to spend more than about 10 mins reading the news section as it's mostly stuff I've already about in the week... when I read the Guardian of course (and the Metro haha)

AMY - MURDOCH.....NOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Huw - Excellent...

2009-08-05T14:23:01.471+01:00

AMY - MURDOCH.....NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Huw - Excellent blog my friend. I love the Observer with all my heart but you're right when you say that we need to protect the Big G.

I do tend to read the Observer far more religiously than the Saturday Guardian, I enjoy the refreshing change of voice. Because, let's be honest, there are many other voices in print I agree with.

I think maybe a slimming down of 'culture' into one thing in order to slimline the outfit would be useful.

And yes the idea of a Tory government and no Observer, or God forbid, no Guardian, doesn't even bear thinking about. I think I would leave the country.

What's your thoughts on The Sunday Times? Pro...

2009-08-05T13:59:26.981+01:00

What's your thoughts on The Sunday Times?

Probably going to throw a rock at me when you next see me but I get that when I'm not getting the Observer.

Have to admit I was bribed to buy it a couple of weeks ago because of the Pizza Express deal they're doing.... SAD.

But seriously, I tend to buy the Observer 2 out of 4 weekends, and the Times 1 out of 4 and then don't bother one weekend.

Does that make me such a bad person?

I imagine a Guardian Sunday edition might be broug...

2009-08-05T13:56:04.531+01:00

I imagine a Guardian Sunday edition might be brought into existence. If not, I probably wouldn't buy a Sunday paper - just read the news online and get my other weekend stuff on the Guardian's Saturday paper.

Excellent points here Huw. I too would miss the O...

2009-08-05T12:59:47.925+01:00

Excellent points here Huw.

I too would miss the Observer, but I'd miss the Guardian even more if funds from that were being used to prop up the dying Observer.

What will you read on Sundays if it closes?