Who or what is The Guardian?

[John K. Taber]

Somebody posted a screed on social security from a British source,
called Guardian Media Group plc.1998. The screed does not sound like
something from the Manchester Guardian (unless it has changed hands
or something).

Can anybody identify the Guardian for me?

Thanks 

-- 
I've been able to string more words into fewer ideas than anybody I
know, and I'm continuing to do that.

     - Alan Greenspan to the Senate Budget Committee, Sept 23, 1998