The big news for the UK’s print media buffs this weekend was the reappearance of The Observer under its new owners, Tortoise Media.

The paper has a new print editor in Lucy Rock, and a new dedicated website, its first, and digital daily edition.

Guardian Media owners the Scott Trust had done the deal before Christmas despite opposition, assuring interested parties that it would “protect the Observer’s future, championing the voice of liberal values and investing in exceptional journalism, while building its digital offering”.

Sunday’s first print edition featured a magazine-style cover pic of Donald’s Trump’s Vatican meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, not original, but a statement of intent and style.

Editor-in-chief of the Observer – and Tortoise owner – James Harding is a former director of BBC News. Among undertakings is to continue to publish the paper on a Sunday and build up the newspaper’s digital presence by combining it with the group’s podcasts, newsletters and live events. The website is one of a number of innovations, and promises to bring together all the newspaper’s coverage across news, culture, style, and sport, as well as audio and newsletters. A paywall is to follow.

Harding has promised the Observer will be “independent, liberal and internationalist”, leaning into traditions of liberalism and editorial independence which date back to its foundation in 1791.

Scott Trust have put GBP£5 million ($A10.5 million) into the deal – which was opposed by the journalists’ union – and will have a nine per cent interest and a seat on the new board. The print edition, printed on improved stock, was priced at GBP£4.20 (A$8.82) and included two magazine supplements.