The Independent launches its next, digital chapter

The print edition will cease a few weeks from now, but the spirit and quality of The Independent will endure

Amol Rajan
Independent Editor
Friday 12 February 2016 21:15 GMT
Comments
(EPA/TERESA DAPP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

I imagine most of you will have read or heard the news that The Independent is to cease its print edition a few weeks from now. As our loyal readers, many of whom have been with the newspaper from the very beginning nearly three decades ago, I realise this must have come as a shock.

I also know that for print readers, the most treasured members of our special club, the notion of our focusing on digital doesn’t appeal so much. It is therefore very hard to explain this decision, but it’s the least you deserve.

The simple fact is, there just aren’t enough people who are prepared to pay for printed news, especially during the week. With our circulations and advertising down, very substantially, the future of our print edition would inevitably be one of managing decline.

I don’t want that to be our approach; and by being decisive about the switch to digital, I think we can go out on a high. Our last edition will be on Saturday 26 March.

This newspaper’s journalism, with its unique integrity, intelligence, courage, wit and humanity, is reaching more hearts and minds than ever before. We are read by millions every day – but they are reading us digitally, through their mobiles, and via social networks. I know it is a hard thing to say here and now, but I want the message to go out loud and clear that even after we cease to print, in spirit and in impact this great newspaper will live on.

We have huge, global ambitions for our website, backed by multimillion-pound investment from our owners, the Lebedev family. They have invested more than £60m in this great institution over six years. Having sold our stablemate title, i, they have the chance to fund the next chapter in our story. In plotting the next few years, it makes sense for them to invest that money in the digital product. To that end we are launching new bureaux across the world and a new subscription mobile app.

The spirit and quality of The Independent will endure
The spirit and quality of The Independent will endure (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Many of our world-class journalists will continue writing just the same amount of journalism on this website. I can’t mention them now because we are in negotiation – but I hope to update you soon.

So the spirit and quality of The Independent will endure. I know that is of little comfort to our print readers. Like me, you love the rustle and whiff of paper, the thud on the doormat when it arrives, and the geography and serendipity of each edition. All I can say is we will deliver great journalism until the very end. That is because we have the most kind, industrious, dedicated and brave staff in the history of Fleet Street. They’re so damn wonderful, they’ve produced a cracker of an edition for today, too.

Have a great weekend.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in