The Independent Newspaper To Cease Publication And Go Digital-Only After 30 Years Of Publication

The Independent Becomes First British National Newspaper To Go Digital-Only
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EPA

The Independent newspaper is to cease print publication and the title will become digital only, owners ESI Media have announced.

The last paper edition is expected to be on Saturday March 26.

Its sister paper, The Independent on Sunday, will likely publish its final issue on March 20.

Evgeny Lebedev, owner of the 30-year-old title, said: “The newspaper industry is changing, and that change is being driven by readers. They’re showing us that the future is digital.

"This decision preserves the Independent brand and allows us to continue to invest in the high quality editorial content that is attracting more and more readers to our online platforms.

“The Independent has always been a pioneering newspaper with a track record of innovation. It has a proud heritage as Britain’s first truly independent national quality title.

"My family bought and invested heavily in The Independent because we believe in world-class quality journalism, and this move secures the future of these vitally important editorial values.”

Around 30 jobs will be created at Independent online, reports said, while some staff will move to their stablemate publication, the i, which is being sold to Johnston Press.

Large numbers of editorial employees will face redundancy, ESI Media confirmed. The number of roles affected will be confirmed following a consultation period, they said.

Oly Duff, the 'i' editor, confirmed his paper had been sold for £24 million, subject to approval.

In a string of tweets, he promised the new title would be bringing on significant numbers of new recruits - with 51 roles to be filled.

Duff also confirmed he would stay as the paper's editor as it moved to Johnston Press.

Amol Rajan, the Independent editor, broke a long Twitter silence on the issue just before 1pm on Friday, apologising for the "radio silence" but saying "as a matter of principle I wanted to speak to staff first".