{{Short description|British online daily newspaper}} {{Hatnote group| {{Redirect|Independent on Sunday|similar names|Sunday Independent (disambiguation){{!}}''Sunday Independent''}} {{Redirect-synonym|Independent newspaper|the form of independent media}} }} {{about|the British newspaper}} {{pp-move}} {{Use British English|date=July 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox newspaper | name = The Independent | logo = File:The Independent news logo.svg | logo_size = | image = The Independent screenshot, 25 July 2021.png | caption = Homepage of ''The Independent'' in July 2021 | type = Print newspaper (1986–2016)<br />Online only newspaper (2016–present) | format = {{ubil|class=nowrap|Broadsheet (1986–2003)|Compact (2003–2016)|Online only (2016–present)}} | owners = {{text|{{nowrap|Evgeny Lebedev (41%)}}<ref name="guardian">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/aug/04/independent-investor-saudi-links-raise-questions-about-editorial-freedom |title=Saudi ties raise doubts about Independent's editorial freedom |last=Ruddick |first=Graham |date=4 August 2017 |work=The Guardian |access-date=25 February 2018 |archive-date=4 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804173953/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/aug/04/independent-investor-saudi-links-raise-questions-about-editorial-freedom |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BBC is ind">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-40762906 |title=Is the Independent still independent? |last=Rajan |first=Amol |date=29 July 2017 |work=BBC News |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=25 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025182103/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-40762906 |url-status=live}}</ref><br />Sultan Muhammad Abuljadayel (30%)<ref name="guardian" /><ref name="BBC is ind" /><br />Justin Byam Shaw (26%)<ref name="BBC is ind" /><br />Minor shareholders (3%)<ref name="BBC is ind" />}} | publisher = Independent Digital News & Media Ltd | editor = Geordie Greig | founded = {{start date and age|1986|10|7|df=yes}} | ceased_publication = 26 March 2016 (print) | political_position = Liberalism<ref name="liberalism1">{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/subscribe/our-story |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/subscribe/our-story |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Our Story |website=The Independent |access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> | headquarters = Alphabeta Building, 14–18 Finsbury Square, EC2A 1AH, London | circulation = | sister_newspapers = ''The Independent on Sunday'' (1990–2016)<br />''The i Paper'' (2010–2013)<br />Online only ''indy100'' (2013–present) | ISSN = 1741-9743 | oclc = 185201487 | website = {{URL|https://independent.co.uk}}<br>{{URL|https://the-independent.com}} | image_size = | image_alt = border }}
'''''The Independent''''' is a British online newspaper, often nicknamed the ''Indy''. It was established in 1986 as a national morning printed paper, beginning as a broadsheet and changing to compact format in 2003.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Byrne |first=Ciar |date=2003-09-30 |title=Tabloid Independent impresses Fleet Street |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/sep/30/theindependent.pressandpublishing |access-date=2026-04-16 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The last printed edition was published on Saturday 26 March 2016, leaving only the online edition.<ref name="BBC ind stop">{{cite news |title=Independent to cease as print edition |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35561145 |access-date=12 February 2016 |work=BBC News |date=12 February 2016 |archive-date=30 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130101310/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35561145 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==History== ===1980s=== Launched in 1986, the first issue of ''The Independent'' was published on 7 October in broadsheet format.<ref name="Griffiths">Dennis Griffiths (ed.) ''The Encyclopedia of the British Press, 1422–1992'', London & Basingstoke: Macmillan, 1992, p. 330.</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Thurman |first1=Neil |last2=Fletcher |first2=Richard |date=14 September 2018 |title=Are Newspapers Heading Toward Post-Print Obscurity? |journal=Digital Journalism |volume=6 |issue=8 |pages=1003–1017 |doi=10.1080/21670811.2018.1504625 |s2cid=219539486 |issn=2167-0811 |doi-access=free}}</ref> It was produced by Newspaper Publishing plc and created by Andreas Whittam Smith, Stephen Glover and Matthew Symonds. All three partners were former journalists at ''The Daily Telegraph'' who had left the paper towards the end of Lord Hartwell's ownership. Marcus Sieff was the first chairman of Newspaper Publishing, and Whittam Smith took control of the paper.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Josh |date=2023-07-24 |title=Blair's Favourite Newspaper |url=https://thebattleground.eu/2023/07/24/blairs-favourite-newspaper/ |access-date=2026-04-16 |website=The Battleground |language=en-GB}}</ref>
The paper was created at a time of a fundamental change in British newspaper publishing. Rupert Murdoch was challenging long-accepted practices of the print unions and ultimately defeated them in the Wapping dispute. Consequently, production costs could be reduced which created openings for more competition.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2006-01-15 |title=Wapping: legacy of Rupert's revolution |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2006/jan/15/rupertmurdoch.pressandpublishing |access-date=2026-04-16 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> ''The Independent'' attracted some of the staff from the two Murdoch broadsheets who had chosen not to move to his company's new headquarters. Launched with the advertising slogan "It is. Are you?",<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-02-01 |title=The history of the Independent’s It is are you? slogan |url=https://www.creativereview.co.uk/it-is-are-you-slogan/ |access-date=2026-04-16 |website=Creative Review |language=en-US}}</ref> and challenging both ''The Guardian'' for centre-left readers and ''The Times'' as the newspaper of record, ''The Independent'' reached a circulation of more than 400,000 by 1989.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Ponsford |first=Dominic |date=2016-02-12 |title=30 years of the Indy in print: Peaked in 1989, victim of Times price war, turning tabloid, going online-only |url=https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/nationals/30-years-indy-founded-1986-print-peak-1989-victim-times-price-war-turning-tabloid-going-online-only/ |access-date=2026-04-16 |website=Press Gazette |language=en-US}}</ref>
===1990s=== When ''The Independent'' launched ''The Independent on Sunday'' in 1990,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Greenslade |first=Roy |date=2016-02-11 |title=The Independent dream that lasted for 30 years |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2016/feb/11/the-independent-dream-that-lasted-for-30-years |access-date=2026-04-16 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> sales were less than anticipated, partly due to the launch of the ''Sunday Correspondent''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foster |first=Jonathan |date=2016-02-12 |title=The Independent newspaper dies as it was born – in the white heat of technology |url=https://theconversation.com/the-independent-newspaper-dies-as-it-was-born-in-the-white-heat-of-technology-54690 |access-date=2026-04-16 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}}</ref> four months prior, although this direct rival closed at the end of November 1990.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1990-12-06 |title=Papers Gain From Correspondent Closure |url=https://uk.themedialeader.com/papers-gain-from-correspondent-closure/ |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=The Media Leader |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In the 1990s, ''The Independent'' was faced with price cutting by the Murdoch titles, and started an advertising campaign accusing ''The Times'' and ''The Daily Telegraph'' of reflecting the views of their proprietors, Rupert Murdoch and Conrad Black. It featured spoofs of the other papers' mastheads with the words ''The Rupert Murdoch'' or ''The Conrad Black'', with ''The Independent'' below the main title.<ref name=":4" />
{{notatypo|Newspaper Publishing}} had financial problems. A number of other media companies were interested in the paper. Tony O'Reilly's media group and Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) had bought a stake of about a third each by mid-1994. In March 1995, Newspaper Publishing was restructured with a rights issue, splitting the shareholding into O'Reilly's Independent News & Media (43%), MGN (43%), and Prisa (publisher of {{Lang|es|El País}}) (12%).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=Justin |last2=Williams |first2=Andrew |last3=Franklin |first3=Bob |last4=Thomas |first4=James |last5=Mosdell |first5=Nick |url=http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/jomec/resources/QualityIndependenceofBritishJournalism.pdf |title=The Quality and Independence of British Journalism: Tracking the Changes Over 20 Years |publisher=Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, Cardiff University |location=Cardiff |page=61 |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065101/http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/jomec/resources/QualityIndependenceofBritishJournalism.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 1996, there was further refinancing,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mcgrath |first=Brendan |title=Independent raises stake in loss making "Indie" |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/independent-raises-stake-in-loss-making-indie-1.39251 |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref> and Andrew Marr was appointed editor of ''The Independent''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1996-04-30 |title=New Editor For The Independent |url=https://uk.themedialeader.com/new-editor-for-the-independent/ |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=The Media Leader |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 1998, O'Reilly bought the other shares of the company for £30 million, and assumed the company's debt,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Buerkle |first=Tom |date=1998-03-12 |title=Irish Media Figure Acquires Control of The Independent |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/12/business/worldbusiness/IHT-irish-media-figure-acquires-control-of-the.html |access-date=2026-04-17 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and Rosie Boycott also became editor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foley |first=Michael |title=Marr is replaced as editor of London `Independent' |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/marr-is-replaced-as-editor-of-london-independent-1.130527 |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref>
Boycott left in April 1998 to join the ''Daily Express'', and Marr left in May 1998, later becoming the BBC's political editor. Simon Kelner was appointed as the editor. By this time, the circulation had fallen below 200,000. Independent News spent heavily to increase circulation, and the paper went through several redesigns. While circulation increased, it did not approach the level which had been achieved in 1989, or restore profitability. Job cuts and financial controls reduced the morale of journalists and the quality of the product.<ref name="Mad eyes">{{cite news |last=Lelic |first=Sarah |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070518124835/http://www.mad.co.uk/Logon/ArticleLogon.aspx?uiArticleID=ef7c2624-7002-45f7-96ed-21a040523aef&uiNavigationItemID=&uiPageID=8453a00f-9d1a-404a-beda-339905b6b8b4&PipelinedPage=%2FMain%2FNews%2FArticlex%2Fef7c2624700245f796ed21a040523aef%2FINM-eyes-emIndependentem-profit.html&PipelinedQueryString=uiArticleID%3Def7c2624-7002-45f7-96ed-21a040523aef%26uiNavigationItemID%3Dd8f9fd23-813a-47b2-9696-31d9ca23a265%26 |archive-date=18 May 2007 |url=http://www.mad.co.uk/Logon/ArticleLogon.aspx?uiArticleID=ef7c2624-7002-45f7-96ed-21a040523aef&uiNavigationItemID=&uiPageID=8453a00f-9d1a-404a-beda-339905b6b8b4&PipelinedPage=/Main/News/Articlex/ef7c2624700245f796ed21a040523aef/INM-eyes-emIndependentem-profit.html&PipelinedQueryString=uiArticleID%3def7c2624-7002-45f7-96ed-21a040523aef%26uiNavigationItemID%3dd8f9fd23-813a-47b2-9696-31d9ca23a265%26 |title=INM eyes Independent profit |url-access=subscription |publisher=mad.co.uk |date=19 September 2006 |access-date=28 November 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
===2000s=== Ivan Fallon, on the board since 1995 and formerly a key figure at ''The Sunday Times'', replaced Hopkins as head of Independent News & Media in July 2002. By mid-2004, the newspaper was losing £5 million per year. A gradual improvement meant that by 2006, circulation was at a nine-year high.<ref name="Mad eyes" />
In November 2008, following further staff cuts, production was moved to Northcliffe House, in Kensington High Street, the headquarters of Associated Newspapers.<ref name="Northcliffe move">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/nov/28/independent-titles-associated-newspapers-northcliffe-house |title=Independent titles to relocate to Associated Newspapers HQ |work=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=28 November 2008 |first=Mark |last=Sweney |date=28 November 2008 |archive-date=23 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223213125/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/nov/28/independent-titles-associated-newspapers-northcliffe-house |url-status=live }}</ref> The two newspaper groups' editorial, management and commercial operations remained separate.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ponsford |first=Dominic |date=2008-11-28 |title=Sharing with Mail 'will safeguard future of Independent' |url=https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/nationals/sharing-with-mail-will-safeguard-future-of-independent/ |access-date=2026-04-16 |website=Press Gazette |language=en-US}}</ref>
===2010s=== On 25 March 2010, Independent News & Media sold the newspaper to a new company owned by the family of Russian oligarch Alexander Lebedev for a nominal £1 fee and £9.25 million over the next 10 months, choosing this option over closing ''The Independent'' and ''The Independent on Sunday'', which would have cost £28 million and £40 million respectively, due to long-term contracts. Alexander's son Evgeny became chairman of the new company, with Alexander becoming a board director.<ref name=bintliff>{{cite news |last1=Bintliff |first1=Esther |title=Lebedev scoops up The Independent for £1 |url=https://www.ft.com/content/f4081652-373c-11df-b542-00144feabdc0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f4081652-373c-11df-b542-00144feabdc0.html |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=20 September 2011 |newspaper=Financial Times |date=25 March 2010 |first2=Ben |last2=Fenton |location=London}}</ref> In 2009, Lebedev had bought a controlling stake in the ''London Evening Standard''. Two weeks later, editor Roger Alton resigned.<ref>Ponsford, Dominic (9 April 2010) [http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/roger-alton-steps-down-as-independent-editor/ "Roger Alton steps down as Independent editor"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924224758/https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/roger-alton-steps-down-as-independent-editor/ |date=24 September 2018 }}, ''Press Gazette'' (London).</ref>
In July 2011, ''The Independent''{{'}}s columnist Johann Hari was stripped of the Orwell Prize he had won in 2008 after claims, to which Hari later admitted,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gunter |first=Joel |date=2011-09-14 |title=Johann Hari admits plagiarism and returns Orwell Prize |url=https://www.journalism.co.uk/johann-hari-admits-plagiarism-and-returns-orwell-prize/ |access-date=2026-04-16 |website=Journalism UK |language=en}}</ref> of plagiarism and inaccuracy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Johann Hari: George Orwell prize 'stripping' announcement delays amid plagiarism row|first=Andrew|last=Hough|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/8660473/Johann-Hari-George-Orwell-prize-stripping-announcement-delays-amid-plagiarism-row.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/8660473/Johann-Hari-George-Orwell-prize-stripping-announcement-delays-amid-plagiarism-row.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Telegraph |language=en}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In January 2012, Chris Blackhurst, editor of ''The Independent'', told the Leveson inquiry that the scandal had "severely damaged" the newspaper's reputation. He nevertheless told the inquiry that Hari would return as a columnist in "four to five weeks".<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Carroll |first1=Lisa |title=Independent editor: Johann Hari scandal 'severely damaged' paper |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/jan/10/independent-editor-johann-hari-scandal |work=The Guardian |date=10 January 2012 |access-date=28 January 2017 |archive-date=23 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223212832/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/jan/10/independent-editor-johann-hari-scandal |url-status=live }}</ref> Hari later announced that he would not return to ''The Independent''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Journalist Johann Hari rejects Independent return |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-16663180 |work=BBC News |date=21 January 2012 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=3 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703074848/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-16663180 |url-status=live }}</ref> Jonathan Foreman contrasted ''The Independent''{{'}}s reaction to the scandal unfavorably with the reaction of American newspapers to similar incidents such as the Jayson Blair case, which led to resignations of editors, "deep soul-searching", and "new standards of exactitude being imposed".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Foreman |first1=Jonathan |title=Dirty Hari – Commentary Magazine |url=https://www.commentarymagazine.com/articles/dirty-hari/ |work=Commentary Magazine |access-date=28 January 2017 |archive-date=2 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202061752/https://www.commentarymagazine.com/articles/dirty-hari/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The historian Guy Walters suggested that Hari's fabrications had been an open secret among the newspaper's staff and that their internal inquiry was a "facesaving exercise".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Walters |first1=Guy |title=An Open Letter to Andreas Whittam Smith |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/guy-walters/2011/07/johann-hari-independent-prize |work=www.newstatesman.com |language=en|date=26 July 2011 |access-date=28 January 2017 |archive-date=2 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202034942/http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/guy-walters/2011/07/johann-hari-independent-prize |url-status=live }}</ref>
''The Independent'' and ''The Independent on Sunday'' endorsed "Remain" in the Brexit referendum.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brexit: Here's how the UK press is voting |url=https://www.zeebiz.com/world/news-brexit-heres-how-the-press-is-voting-2744 |access-date=2026-04-16 |website=Zee Business |language=en}}</ref>
In March 2016, ''The Independent'' closed its print edition to become a pure play digital media company. The last printed edition was published on Saturday 26 March 2016. ''The Independent on Sunday'' published its last edition on 20 March 2016 and was closed.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="BBC News">{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35561145 |title=Independent to cease as print edition |date=12 February 2016 |work=BBC News |access-date=22 February 2019 |language=en-GB |archive-date=29 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029183143/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35561145 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2017, Sultan Muhammad Abuljadayel bought a 30% stake in ''The Independent''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Waterson |first=Jim |date=2019-06-13 |title=Evening Standard and Independent could face inquiry over Saudi funds |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/jun/13/evening-standard-could-face-inquiry-over-saudi-investment |access-date=2026-04-16 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rajan |first=Amol |date=2017-07-29 |title=Is the Independent still independent? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-40762906 |access-date=2026-04-17 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> ''Independent Arabia'' was launched in October 2018. It is published under licence, and owned and managed by Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG), a major publishing organisation with close ties to the Saudi royal family.<ref>{{cite news |title=Independent's deal with Saudi publisher back under spotlight |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/oct/19/independent-deal-with-saudi-publisher-back-under-spotlight |last1=Waterson |first1=Jim |last2=Kamali Dehghan |first2=Saeed |work=The Guardian |date=19 October 2018 |access-date=24 July 2019 |archive-date=25 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725100833/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/oct/19/independent-deal-with-saudi-publisher-back-under-spotlight |url-status=live }}</ref>
===2020s=== In September 2020, ''The Independent'' launched ''Independent en Español'', a wholly owned and operated Spanish language edition.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-30 |title=The Independent launches new Spanish-language website in the US |url=https://www.inpublishing.co.uk/articles/the-independent-launches-new-spanish-language-website-in-the-us-16803 |access-date=2026-02-06 |website=InPublishing |language=en}}</ref>
Geordie Greig was appointed ''The Independent''{{'}}s Editor-in-Chief in January 2023. He oversaw a period of editorial investment.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Waterson |first=Jim |last2= |first2= |date=4 January 2023 |title=Geordie Greig appointed editor of the Independent |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/jan/04/geordie-greig-appointed-editor-of-the-independent |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Later that year, Chief Executive Zach Leonard moved to the United States as Global COO and President (North America), and former Editor Christian Broughton was appointed Chief Executive.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tobitt |first=Charlotte |date=2023-08-29 |title=Christian Broughton promoted to CEO as Independent announces more US expansion |url=https://pressgazette.co.uk/the-wire/media-jobs-uk-news/the-independent-ceo-christian-broughton/ |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=Press Gazette |language=en-US}}</ref> Louise Thomas was appointed US Editor in March 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boulton |first=Lewis |date=20 December 2023 |title=The Independent appoints Louise Thomas as US Editor |url=https://newsworks.org.uk/news-and-opinion/the-independent-appoints-louise-thomas-as-us-editor/ |access-date=9 November 2024 |website=Newsworks |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In January 2026, ''The Independent'' was in talks to take commercial and digital control of ''The Evening Standard.''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Daniel |date=2026-01-20 |title=Independent to take over operations of London’s Standard |url=https://www.ft.com/content/e8093d62-5280-414f-b8d9-62b6c742a606?syn-25a6b1a6=1 |access-date=2026-04-17 |work=Financial Times}}</ref> The partnership was agreed in April 2026, with ''The Evening Standard'' staying as a separate company and ''The Independent'' also taking control of print advertising.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-17 |title=Independent Media completes partnership with The Standard |url=https://www.inpublishing.co.uk/articles/independent-media-completes-partnership-with-the-standard-26491 |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=InPublishing |language=en}}</ref>
==Content== ===Format and design=== ''The Independent'' began publishing as a broadsheet, in a series of celebrated designs. The final version was designed by Carroll, Dempsey and Thirkell following a commission by Nicholas Garland who, along with Alexander Chancellor, was unhappy with designs produced by Raymond Hawkey and Michael McGuiness – on seeing the proposed designs, Chancellor had said: "I thought we were joining a serious paper." The first edition was designed and implemented by Michael Crozier, who was Executive Editor, Design and Picture, from pre-launch in 1986 to 1994.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bookdepository.com/Making-Independent-Michael-Crozier/9780340500613 |title=The Making of the 'Independent' : Michael Crozier : 9780340500613 |website=www.bookdepository.com |access-date=12 May 2019 |archive-date=12 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512133100/https://www.bookdepository.com/Making-Independent-Michael-Crozier/9780340500613 |url-status=live }}</ref>
From September 2003, the paper was produced in both broadsheet and tabloid-sized versions, with the same content in each. The tabloid edition was termed "compact" to distance itself from the more sensationalist reporting style usually associated with "tabloid" newspapers in the UK,<ref name="Bus Week">{{cite news |url=http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/dec2004/nf2004121_9347_db016.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050102085329/http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/dec2004/nf2004121_9347_db016.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 January 2005 |title=British papers shrink to conquer |last=Carney |first=Beth |date=1 December 2004 |work=Business Week |access-date=2 May 2009}}</ref> preferring to remain focused on hard news (similarly to the tabloid-size edition of ''The Times'').<ref name="tabloid_historicnewspapers_co_uk">Hughes, Gary: [https://www.historic-newspapers.co.uk/blog/tabloid-history/ "A History of the Tabloid Newspaper"], updated 14 December 2021, Historic Newspapers, retrieved 22 May 2024.</ref> The smaller format appeared gradually throughout the UK. Soon afterwards, Rupert Murdoch's ''Times'' followed suit, introducing its own tabloid-sized version.<ref name="Brand Rep">{{cite news |url=http://www.brandrepublic.com/News/197504/Times-tabloid-pushes-sales-50000/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH |title=Times tabloid pushes up sales |last=Billings |first=Claire |date=5 December 2003 |publisher=Brand Republic |access-date=2 May 2009 |archive-date=16 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916194134/http://www.brandrepublic.com/News/197504/Times-tabloid-pushes-sales-50000/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH |url-status=live }}</ref> Prior to these changes, ''The Independent'' had a daily circulation of around 217,500, the lowest of any major national British daily, a figure that climbed by 15% as of March 2004 (to 250,000).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Luft |first=Oliver |date=2008-11-28 |title=Independent timeline: From City Road to Kensington via 'Reservoir Dogs' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/nov/28/the-independent-timeline |access-date=2026-04-16 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Throughout much of 2006, circulation stagnated at a quarter of a million. On 14 May 2004, ''The Independent'' produced its last weekday broadsheet, having stopped producing a Saturday broadsheet edition in January.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guider |first=Ian |date=2004-05-14 |title=London Independent switches to tabloid only |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/arid-10054411.html |access-date=2026-04-16 |website=Irish Examiner |language=en}}</ref> ''The Independent on Sunday'' published its last simultaneous broadsheet on 9 October 2005, and thereafter followed a compact design until the print edition was discontinued.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cozens |first=Claire |date=2005-10-07 |title=Sindy takes tabloid plunge |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/oct/07/independentonsunday.newspaperformats |access-date=2026-04-16 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
On 12 April 2005, ''The Independent'' redesigned its layout to a more European feel, similar to France's ''Libération''. The redesign was carried out by a Barcelona-based design studio. The weekday second section was subsumed within the main paper, double-page feature articles became common in the main news sections, and there were revisions to the front and back covers.<ref name="Guard redesign">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/apr/12/theindependent.pressandpublishing |title=Independent redesign takes it forward |last=Brook |first=Stephen |date=12 April 2005 |work=The Guardian |location=UK |access-date=2 May 2009 |archive-date=18 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918183508/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/apr/12/theindependent.pressandpublishing |url-status=live }}</ref> A new second section, "Extra", was introduced on 25 April 2006. It is similar to ''The Guardian''{{'}}s "G2" and ''The Times''{{'}}s "Times2", containing features, reportage and games, including sudoku. In June 2007, ''The Independent on Sunday'' consolidated its content into a news section which included sports and business, and a magazine focusing on life and culture.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=37809 |title=News magazine look for relaunched Independent on Sunday |first=Dominic |last=Ponsford |magazine=Press Gazette |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229200804/http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=37809 |archive-date=29 December 2008}}</ref> On 23 September 2008, the main newspaper became full-color, and "Extra" was replaced by an "Independent Life Supplement" focusing on different themes each day.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/sep/23/theindependent.pressandpublishing |work=The Guardian |location=London |title=Independent goes full colour |first=Oliver |last=Luft |date=23 September 2008 |access-date=27 March 2010 |archive-date=7 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307164850/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/sep/23/theindependent.pressandpublishing |url-status=live }}</ref>
Three weeks after the acquisition of the paper by Alexander Lebedev and Evgeny Lebedev in 2010, the paper was relaunched with another redesign on 20 April. The new format featured smaller headlines and a new pullout "Viewspaper" section, which contained the paper's comment and feature articles.<ref name="pgazette">{{cite web |url=http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=45328&c=1 |title=Independent relaunch |last=Ponsford |first=Dominic |date=20 April 2010 |work=Press Gazette |access-date=20 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100422175929/http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=45328&c=1 |archive-date=22 April 2010}}</ref>
===Front pages=== Following the 2003 switch in format, ''The Independent'' became known for its unorthodox and campaigning front pages, which frequently relied on images, graphics or lists rather than traditional headlines and written news content. For example, following the Kashmir earthquake in 2005, it used its front page to urge its readers to donate to its appeal fund, and following the publication of the Hutton Report into the death of British government scientist David Kelly, its front page simply carried the word "Whitewash?"<ref name="PR week">{{cite news |url=http://www.prweek.com/uk/news/article/521627/Independent-breaks-front-page-mould-again-earthquake-appeal-coupon |title=Independent breaks front page mould again |last=Whitehead |first=Jennifer |date=12 October 2005 |work=PRWeek |access-date=1 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214001222/http://www.prweek.com/uk/news/article/521627/Independent-breaks-front-page-mould-again-earthquake-appeal-coupon |archive-date=14 February 2012}}</ref> In 2003, the paper's editor, Simon Kelner, was named "Editor of the Year" at the ''What the Papers Say'' awards, partly in recognition of, according to the judges, his "often arresting and imaginative front-page designs".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corcoran |first=Jody |date=2003-12-21 |title=Independent heralds the new tabloid age |url=https://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/independent-heralds-the-new-tabloid-age/26238145.html |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=Irish Independent |language=en}}</ref> In 2008, as he was stepping down as editor, he stated that it was possible to "overdo the formula" and that the style of the paper's front pages perhaps needed "reinvention".<ref name="Guard Kelner">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/jun/05/theindependent.pressandpublishing |title=Kelner says it's time to rethink "viewspaper" front pages |last=Brook |first=Stephen |date=5 June 2008 |work=The Guardian |location=UK |access-date=1 May 2009 |archive-date=16 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916042538/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/jun/05/theindependent.pressandpublishing |url-status=live }}</ref>
Under the subsequent editorship of Chris Blackhurst, the campaigning, poster-style front pages were scaled back in favour of more conventional news stories.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/chris-blackhurst-independents-new-editor-lays-line/1100483 |website=Campaign |title=Chris Blackhurst: The Independent's new editor lays it on the line|first=Arif|last=Durrani|date=26 October 2011 |access-date=27 December 2017 |archive-date=27 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227235542/https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/chris-blackhurst-independents-new-editor-lays-line/1100483 |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Online presence=== ''The Independent''{{'}}s original website launched in 1996. On 23 January 2008, ''The Independent'' relaunched its online edition.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080706041210/http://www.independent.co.uk/service/welcome-to-the-independents-new-website-771573.html "Welcome to The Independent's new website"]. ''The Independent''. 23 January 2008.</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.journalism.co.uk/2/articles/530956.php |title=Independent unveils revamped website |work=Journalism.co.uk |date=23 January 2008 |first1=Laura |last1=Oliver |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025023739/http://www.journalism.co.uk/2/articles/530956.php |archive-date=25 October 2008}}</ref>
From 2009, the website started carrying short video news bulletins provided by the Al Jazeera English news channel.<ref name="Guard al Jazeera">{{cite news |last=Fitzsimmons |first=Caitlin |date=15 January 2009 |title=Independent in al-Jazeera video tie-up |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/jan/15/independent-al-jazeera-video-tie-up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225013601/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/jan/15/independent-al-jazeera-video-tie-up |archive-date=25 December 2019 |access-date=1 May 2009 |work=The Guardian |location=London}}</ref>
''The Independent'' launched Independent TV in 2020 to increase video journalism, which was a growth area for the business.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-22 |title=The Independent launches Independent TV |url=https://www.inpublishing.co.uk/articles/the-independent-launches-independent-tv-17096 |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=InPublishing |language=en}}</ref> In March 2023, ''The Independent'' released ''The Body in the Woods'', a feature-length documentary by its Chief International Correspondent, Bel Trew, about the Ukraine war. Video content can be viewed on their website, smart TV app, and on their mobile app.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-02-23 |title=Independent TV releases feature-length documentary marking one-year anniversary of Ukraine war |url=https://newsworks.org.uk/news-and-opinion/independent-tv-releases-feature-length-documentary-marking-one-year-anniversary-of-ukraine-war/ |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=Newsworks |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Political views== ''The Independent'' is generally described as centrist,<ref name="Centrist">{{cite book |editor-first=Ann |editor-last=Luce |title=Ethical Reporting of Sensitive Topics |quote=Examining UK publications, she found that the left-leaning The Guardian was enthusiastic, calling it the end of the fossil fuel era; the centrist The Independent labelled the agreement historic but offered a series of cautions; ... |date=2019 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-351-16630-0}}</ref> centre-left,<ref name="CentreLeft1">{{Cite book |last=Forman |first=F. N. |url=https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/mastering-british-politics-9781137021595/ |title=Mastering British Politics |last2=Baldwin |first2=Nicholas |date= |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-137-02159-5 |edition=5 |pages=149 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="CentreLeft2">{{cite book |editor-first= |editor-last= |title=Reporting Palestine-Isreal in British Newspapers: An analysis of British Newspapers |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2eM_EAAAQBAJ&dq=Centre-left+%22The+Independent%22+UK+newspapers&pg=PA65 |quote=The Independent a centre-left newspaper |date=2021 |page=65 |publisher=Springer Nature |isbn=978-3-030-17072-1|last=Sirhan|first=Nadia}}</ref> and liberal-left.<ref name="liberalLeft">{{Cite book |last=Rudin |first=Richard |title=Broadcasting in the 21st Century |publisher=Macmillan International Higher Education |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-230-34384-9 |publication-date=2011 |pages=112}}</ref> When the paper was established in 1986, the founders intended its political stance to reflect the centre of the British political spectrum and thought that it would attract readers primarily from ''The Times'' and ''The Daily Telegraph''. It has been seen as leaning to the left wing of the political spectrum, making it more a competitor to ''The Guardian''; however, ''The Independent'' tends to take a liberal, pro-market stance on economic issues.<ref name="Wilby">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/apr/14/theindependent.pressandpublishing |work=The Guardian |location=London |title=It is. Is he? |first=Peter |last=Wilby |date=14 April 2008 |access-date=27 March 2010 |archive-date=19 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219145912/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/apr/14/theindependent.pressandpublishing |url-status=live }}</ref>
In a 12 June 2007 speech, British Prime Minister Tony Blair called ''The Independent'' a "viewspaper", saying it "was started as an antidote to the idea of journalism as views not news. That was why it was called the Independent. Today it is avowedly a viewspaper not merely a newspaper".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6744581.stm |title=Blair on the media |work=BBC News |date=12 June 2007 |access-date=19 June 2007 |archive-date=23 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070623085431/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6744581.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>
An Ipsos MORI poll estimated that in the 2010 United Kingdom general election, 44% of regular readers voted Liberal Democrat, 32% voted Labour,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpublications/researcharchive/poll.aspx?oItemId=2476&view=wide|title=Political Monitor Archive | Ipsos|access-date=10 January 2014|archive-date=11 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111065658/http://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpublications/researcharchive/poll.aspx?oItemId=2476&view=wide|url-status=live}}</ref> and 14% voted Conservative, compared to 23%, 29%, and 36%, respectively, of the overall electorate.<ref>{{cite web |title=Voting by Newspaper Readership 1992–2010 |url=http://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpublications/researcharchive/2476/Voting-by-Newspaper-Readership-19922010.aspx?view=wide |work=Ipsos MORI General Election aggregates |publisher=Ipsos MORI |access-date=21 September 2011 |author=Ipsos MORI |author-link=Ipsos MORI |date=24 May 2010 |archive-date=21 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921073253/http://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpublications/researcharchive/2476/Voting-by-Newspaper-Readership-19922010.aspx?view=wide |url-status=live }}</ref> In the 2010 general election, ''The Independent'' called for tactical voting to stop the Conservatives from winning seats and supported the idea of a Labour and Liberal Democrat coalition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stoddard |first=Katy |date=2010-05-04 |title=Newspaper support in UK general elections |url=http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2010/may/04/general-election-newspaper-support |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> Before the 2015 United Kingdom general election, ''The Independent'' said that a continuation of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition after the general election would be a positive outcome.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-05-05 |title=Election 2015: Independent backs Conservative-Lib Dem coalition |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32585930 |access-date=2026-04-17 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
At the end of July 2018, ''The Independent'' led a campaign they called the "Final Say", a change.org petition by former editor Christian Broughton, for a binding referendum on the Brexit deal between the UK and the European Union.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mayhew |first=Freddy |date=2018-07-27 |title=Independent campaign for 'final say' Brexit vote gets more than 280,000 signatures as editor vows to 'let it run as along as we need to' |url=https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/nationals/independent-campaign-for-final-say-brexit-vote-gets-more-than-280000-signatures-as-editor-vows-to-let-it-run-as-along-as-we-need-to/ |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=Press Gazette |language=en-US}}</ref>
In the 2024 United Kingdom general election, ''The Independent'' endorsed the Labour Party, although added what it termed as a warning that: "Labour must turn its promises into policies that benefit the hardworking and hopeful people of this country".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Steerpike |date=2024-07-04 |title=Full list: Which newspapers backed Labour? |url=https://spectator.com/article/full-list-newspaper-election-endorsements/ |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=The Spectator |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Personnel== ===Editors=== {|width=100% |- valign=top |width=50%| ''The Independent'': : 1986: Andreas Whittam Smith : 1994: Ian Hargreaves : 1995: Charles Wilson : 1996: Andrew Marr : 1998: Rosie Boycott : 1998: Andrew Marr and Rosie Boycott : 1998: Simon Kelner : 2008: Roger Alton : 2010: Simon Kelner : 2011: Chris Blackhurst<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/press/a-new-editor-for-the-independent-2305588.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/press/a-new-editor-for-the-independent-2305588.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=A new editor for The Independent |date=2 July 2011 |work=The Independent |location=London}}</ref> : 2013: Amol Rajan<ref name="Turvill">Turvill, William (17 June 2013), [http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/new-editors-independent-and-i-newspapers "Amol Rajan is made editor of The Independent as Chris Blackhurst becomes group content director"], ''Press Gazette''. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409050542/http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/new-editors-independent-and-i-newspapers |date=9 April 2014 }}.</ref> : 2016: Christian Broughton<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/service/contact-us-759589.html Contact Us] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915095124/http://www.independent.co.uk/service/contact-us-759589.html |date=15 September 2017 }} – The Independent. Retrieved 26 January 2017.</ref> : 2023: Geordie Greig<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/jan/04/geordie-greig-appointed-editor-of-the-independent|title=Geordie Greig appointed editor of the Independent|first1=Jim|last1=Waterson|date=4 January 2023|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=20 February 2023|archive-date=20 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220143621/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/jan/04/geordie-greig-appointed-editor-of-the-independent|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Independent on Sunday'': : 1990: Stephen Glover : 1991: Ian Jack : 1995: Peter Wilby : 1996: Rosie Boycott : 1998: Kim Fletcher : 1999: Janet Street-Porter : 2002: Tristan Davies : 2008: John Mullin : 2013: Lisa Markwell |}
There have also been various guest editors over the years, such as Elton John on 1 December 2010, The Body Shop's Anita Roddick on 19 June 2003 and U2's Bono in 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/press/world-aids-day-special-elton-john-to-edit-the-independent-and-i-2147370.html|title=World Aids Day special: Elton John to edit The Independent and ''i''|newspaper=The Independent|date=30 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/how-anita-changed-the-world-402108.html#ref2|title=How Anita changed the world|first=Michael|last=McCarthy|newspaper=The Independent|date=12 September 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/introducing-bono-the-new-editor-of-the-independent-447777.html|title=Introducing Bono, the new editor of 'The Independent'|first=Cole|last=Moreton|newspaper=The Independent on Sunday|date=14 May 2006}}</ref>
===Writers and columnists=== ; Predominantly in ''The Independent''
{{dynamic list}} {{colbegin|colwidth=15em}} * Yasmin Alibhai-Brown * Bruce Anderson * Paul Arden * Archie Bland * Thom Brooks * Andrew Brown (writer) * Cooper Brown * Michael Brown * Simon Calder * Ben Chu * Alexa Chung * Rob Cowan * Sloane Crosley * Tracey Emin * Nigel Farage * Mitch Feierstein * Andrew Feinberg * Helen Fielding * Robert Fisk * Eric Garcia * Chris Gulker * Ian Hamilton * Howard Jacobson * Alex James * Peter Jenkins * Owen Jones * Andrew Keen * John Rentoul * Alan Rusbridger * Kim Sengupta * Jon Sopel * Mark Steel * Rebecca Thomas * Bel Trew * Dominic Lawson * John Lichfield * Philip Llewellin * Laura Lyons<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/author/laura-lyons |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/author/laura-lyons |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Laura Lyons |website=The Independent}}</ref> * Andy McSmith * Donald MacIntyre * Serena Mackesy * Tracey MacLeod * Rhodri Marsden * Jan McGirk * Deborah Orr * Christina Patterson * Peter Popham * Simon Read * Steve Richards * Lizzie Dearden * Ash Sarkar * Alexei Sayle * Will Self * LJK Setright * Boyd Tonkin * Catherine Townsend * Paul Vallely * Brian Viner * Lynne Walker * Andreas Whittam Smith * Claudia Winkleman {{colend}}
; Predominantly ''The Independent on Sunday''
{{dynamic list}}
{{colbegin|colwidth=30em}} * Janet Street-Porter—Editor-at-Large * Kate Bassett—Theatre * Patrick Cockburn, John Rentoul, Joan Smith, Paul Vallely, and Alan Watkins—"Comment & Debate" * Peter Cole—"On the Press" * Rupert Cornwell—"Out of America" * Hermione Eyre—Reviews * Jenny Gilbert—Dance * Christopher Hirst and Lucinda Rogers—"The Weasel" (weekly illustrated column 1995–2008) * Dom Joly—"First Up" in The Sunday Review * Tim Minogue and David Randall—"Observatory" * Cole Moreton—"News Analysis" (Regular double-spread) * Anna Picard—Opera and Classical * Simon Price—Rock and Pop {{colend}}
==Longford Prize== ''The Independent'' sponsors the Longford Prize, meant to recognise those who have helped the lives of current or former prisoners, in memory of Lord Longford.<ref>{{Cite web |title=INQUEST wins the Longford Prize |url=https://irr.org.uk/article/inquest-wins-the-longford-prize/ |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=Institute of Race Relations |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Related publications== {{Infobox newspaper | name = Independent on Sunday | type = Sunday newspaper | editor = Lisa Markwell<ref>Haggerty, Angela (26 April 2013), [http://www.thedrum.com/news/2013/04/26/appointment-lisa-markwell-editor-independent-sunday-announced-owner-twitter "Appointment of Lisa Markwell as editor of Independent on Sunday announced by owner via Twitter"], ''The Drum''. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501040840/http://www.thedrum.com/news/2013/04/26/appointment-lisa-markwell-editor-independent-sunday-announced-owner-twitter |date=1 May 2013 }}.</ref> | circulation = 155,661<ref name="Brook">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/mar/05/lebedev-buys-independent-newspapers |work=The Guardian |location=London |title=Lebedev buys Independent newspapers |first=Stephen |last=Brook |date=25 March 2010 |access-date=27 March 2010 |archive-date=19 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819192825/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/mar/05/lebedev-buys-independent-newspapers |url-status=live }}</ref> | ISSN = 0958-1723 | oclc = 500339994 | publisher = Independent Print Limited | format = Broadsheet | founded = {{start date and age|1990|df=yes}} | ceased_publication = {{end date|2016|3|20|df=yes}} | sister_newspapers = {{ubl|''The Independent''|''The i Paper'' (2010–2013)|''indy100''}} }}
===''The Independent on Sunday''=== ''The Independent on Sunday'' (''IoS'') was the Sunday sister newspaper of ''The Independent''. It ceased to exist in 2016, the last edition being published on 20 March.<ref name="BBC News"/>
===''The i Paper''=== {{Main|The i Paper}}
In October 2010, the ''i'', a compact newspaper, was launched. The ''i'' is a separate newspaper but uses some of the same editorial staff.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-10-25 |title=Independent launches new 20p newspaper called i |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11623514 |access-date=2026-04-17 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> It was later sold to regional newspaper company Johnston Press,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-02-12 |title=Johnston Press confirms acquisition of i newspaper |url=https://www.inpublishing.co.uk/articles/johnston-press-confirms-acquisition-of-i-newspaper-4577 |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=InPublishing |language=en}}</ref> before being sold again.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-11-16 |title=Johnston Press: Publisher of i paper bought out |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46243622 |access-date=2026-04-17 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> It currently belongs to Daily Mail and General Trust.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-11-29 |title=Daily Mail owner buys i newspaper for £50m |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50598506 |access-date=2026-04-17 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
===''Indy100''=== {{Main|Indy100}}
The online news site was originally called ''i100'' and launched in 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Greenslade |first=Roy |date=2014-07-17 |title=Now i goes digital with a BuzzFeed-style website called i100 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2014/jul/17/theindependent-buzzfeed |access-date=2026-04-17 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> It was renamed to ''indy100'' in February 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Turvill |first=William |date=2016-02-12 |title=Independent newspapers closed, but will continue online, after i sale to Johnston Press |url=https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/nationals/independent-and-independent-sunday-newspapers-closed-after-i-sale-johnston-press/ |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=Press Gazette |language=en-US}}</ref>
===''The (RED) Independent''=== ''The Independent'' supported U2 lead singer Bono's Product RED brand by creating ''The (RED) Independent'', an occasional edition that gave half the day's proceeds to the charity. The first edition was in May 2006. Edited by Bono, it drew high sales.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.newsdesigner.com/archives/002543.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060527115019/http://www.newsdesigner.com/archives/002543.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 May 2006 |title=They found what they were looking for |work=NewsDesigner.com |date=23 May 2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2006-05-05 |title=Stop the presses! Bono to edit U.K. paper |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/stop-the-presses-bono-to-edit-u-k-paper-1.602267 |access-date=2026-04-17 |work=CBC}}</ref>
A September 2006 edition of ''The (RED) Independent'', designed by fashion designer Giorgio Armani, drew controversy due to its cover shot, showing model Kate Moss in blackface for an article about AIDS in Africa.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pool|first=Hannah|author-link=Hannah Pool |url=https://www.theguardian.com/race/story/0,,1878483,00.html |title=Return to the dark ages |work=The Guardian |date=22 September 2006 |location=London}}</ref>
===The Pride List=== The Pride List started out as The Pink List in 2000, before becoming The Rainbow List. It celebrates prominent LGBT people in the UK. It became The Pride List in 2023 when ''The Independent'' became Pride in London's exclusive news partner.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oakes |first=Andy |date=2023-05-23 |title=The Independent becomes Pride in London's exclusive news partner |url=https://newdigitalage.co/publishing/the-independent-becomes-pride-in-londons-exclusive-news-partner/ |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=New Digital Age |language=en-GB}}</ref>
===BuzzFeed and ''HuffPost''=== With the aim of becoming "Britain's biggest publisher network for gen Z and millennial audiences”, in March 2024 ''The Independent'' took over BuzzFeed and ''HuffPost'' in the UK, agreeing a multi year licensing deal.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Topping |first=Alexandra |date=2024-03-28 |title=Independent to take control of BuzzFeed and HuffPost in UK and Ireland |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/mar/28/independent-to-take-control-of-buzzfeed-and-huffpost-in-uk-and-ireland |access-date=2026-04-17 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Maher |first=Bron |date=2024-03-28 |title=The Independent takes over Buzzfeed UK brands including Huffpost |url=https://pressgazette.co.uk/the-wire/media-mergers-news-tracker/the-independent-buzzfeed-uk-partnership-deal/ |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=Press Gazette |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Awards and nominations== ''The Independent'' and its journalists have won and been nominated for a range of British Press Awards, including:
* ''The Independent'' was awarded "National Newspaper of the Year" for 2003<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.pressawards.org.uk/page-view.php?pagename=2000-2008-Winners |title=Press Awards Winners 2000–08 |date=16 March 2004 |access-date=2 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402232510/http://www.pressawards.org.uk/page-view.php?pagename=2000-2008-Winners |archive-date=2 April 2016}}</ref> * In January 2013, ''The Independent'' was nominated for the Responsible Media of the Year award at the British Muslim Awards<ref name="asianimage">{{cite news |url=http://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/10197507.Winners_honoured_at_British_Muslim_Awards/ |title=Winners honoured at British Muslim Awards |publisher=Asian Image |date=31 January 2013 |access-date=1 November 2015 |archive-date=21 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121173521/http://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/10197507.Winners_honoured_at_British_Muslim_Awards/ |url-status=live }}</ref> * ''The Independent on Sunday'' was awarded "Front Page of the Year" for 2014's "Here is the news, not the propaganda", printed on 5 October 2014<ref name="gazetteroll">{{cite web |url=http://www.pressawards.org.uk/page-view.php?pagename=Winners-2014 |title=Press Awards: Winners for 2014 |access-date=2 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308205333/http://www.pressawards.org.uk/page-view.php?pagename=Winners-2014 |archive-date=8 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> * Barbara Blake-Hannah Award, Kuba Shand-Baptiste, British Journalism Awards, 2020<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 February 2022 |title=British journalist meets Barbara Blake-Hannah after whom her history-making award is named - Jamaica Observer |url=https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2022/02/14/british-journalist-meets-barbara-blake-hannah-after-whom-her-history-making-award-is-named/ |website=Jamaica Observer}}</ref> * "Best Use of Data", "Best Diversification of Commercial Strategy", and "Rising Star (Emily Robinson", AOP Digital Publishing Awards, 2021<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 September 2021 |title=AOP Digital Publishing Awards 2021 – winners announced |url=https://www.inpublishing.co.uk/articles/aop-digital-publishing-awards-2021-winners-announced-18875 |access-date=2 November 2024 |website=InPublishing |language=en}}</ref> * "Publisher of the Year" and "Branded Content team of the Year", The Drum Awards for Online Media, 2022<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=The Drum Awards for Online Media 2023 - Results |url=https://www.onlinemediaawards.net/live/en/page/results |access-date=26 September 2023 |website=www.onlinemediaawards.net |language=en |archive-date=26 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926175019/https://www.onlinemediaawards.net/live/en/page/results |url-status=live }}</ref> * "Best Research/Insight Project", "Best Use of Data", "Product Development Team of the Year", and "Best Digital Consumer Publishing Company 'Grand Prix{{'"}} AOP Digital Publishing Awards, 2022<ref name=":3" /> * "Best Writer, Lifestyle", Harriet Hall, BSME Awards 2022<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 May 2022 |title=BSME Talent Awards 2022 – shortlist announced |url=https://www.inpublishing.co.uk/articles/bsme-talent-awards-2022-shortlist-announced-20748 |access-date=2 November 2024 |website=InPublishing |language=en}}</ref> * "Breaking Travel News", Simon Calder, Broadcast Programme of the Year", Simon Calder, "National Consumer Feature of the Year", Sian Lewis; "Sustainability Travel feature of the Year", Mike MacEacheran, Travel Media Awards 2022<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 September 2022 |title=Winners of the Travel Media Awards 2022 announced! Celebrating the best of the travel media sector - APL Media |url=https://aplmedia.co.uk/winners-of-the-travel-media-awards-2022-announced-celebrating-the-best-of-the-travel-media-sector/ |access-date=2 November 2024 |website=aplmedia.co.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref> * Black Talent Awards, "Marketing, Media and Creative", Nadine White, 2022<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gavin |first=Jamie |date=18 August 2022 |title=UK's first ever race correspondent shortlisted for Black Talent Award |url=https://www.fipp.com/news/uks-first-ever-race-reporter-shortlisted-for-black-talent-award/ |access-date=2 November 2024 |website=FIPP |language=en}}</ref> * "The Change-Maker Award", Beth Gordon, Global Women in Marketing Awards, 2022<ref>{{Cite web |title=Winners 2022 |url=https://womeninmarketing.org.uk/winners/winners-2022/ |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=Women In Marketing |language=en-GB}}</ref> * ''The Independent'' won the Brand of the Year Award in The Drum Awards for Online Media 2023<ref name=":3" /> * "Foreign Reporter of the Year", Bel Trew, The Press Awards, 2023<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 March 2023 |title=The Independent's Bel Trew wins Foreign Reporter of the Year at The Press Awards |url=https://www.aol.com/independent-bel-trew-wins-foreign-140356698.html |access-date=4 November 2024 |website=A. O. L. |language=en-US |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130141139/https://www.aol.com/independent-bel-trew-wins-foreign-140356698.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAKFl31kB0qYwk3JvJJJWDUU1A67Dt4Bd22fo4lh5aSUDxTTv7K9Wz7CjN3pogw87BT3pmo7MLCyLJMzHEc5O6mIONM4Fn8vmfeNB4JjHjZaD9WO4pNWSuKqk6hfrRZRtGHCMJ_QMQxtcxW4I0ilRa8X2Gpht2l5u8eRhj97FSb3u |archive-date=30 November 2024}}</ref> * "Brand of the Year", The Drum Awards for Online Media, 2023<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Drum |first=The |title=The Drum Awards for Online Media 2023 - Results |url=https://www.onlinemediaawards.net/live/en/page/results |access-date=2 November 2024 |website=www.onlinemediaawards.net |language=en}}</ref> * "Campaign of the Year" (with ''The Evening Standard'') SOE Media Freedom Awards, 2023<ref>{{Cite web |title=Media Freedom Awards 2023 winners – Society of Editors |url=https://www.societyofeditors.org/events/media-freedom-awards-2023/media-freedom-awards-2023-winners/ |access-date=4 November 2024 |language=en-GB}}</ref> * "The Marie Colvin Award", Bel Trew, British Journalism Awards, 2023<ref>{{Cite web |title=Independent's Bel Trew wins prestigious award - Read this story on Magzter.com |url=https://www.magzter.com/stories/newspaper/The-Independent/INDEPENDENTS-BEL-TREW-WINS-PRESTIGIOUS-AWARD |access-date=4 November 2024 |website=www.magzter.com |language=en}}</ref> * "The Bill Murray Award for Outstanding Contribution to Digital Publishing", Jo Holdaway, AOP Digital Publishing Awards, 2024<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Bill Murray Award |url=https://www.ukaop.org/digital-publishing-awards/the-bill-murray-award |access-date=4 November 2024 |website=AOP |language=en}}</ref> * "Corporate and Utilities", Campaign Media Awards, 2024<ref>{{Cite web |title=Campaign Media Awards winners 2024: Commercial Team of the Year |url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/campaign-media-awards-winners-2024-commercial-team-year/1869084 |access-date=4 November 2024 |website=www.campaignlive.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> * "Best Digital Publishing Company 2025" at the Association of Publishers' annual awards competition<ref>{{Cite web |title=2025 Winners |url=https://www.ukaop.org/digital-publishing-awards/2025-winners |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=AOP |language=en}}</ref>
==See also== * ''Independent'' Foreign Fiction Prize * Brett Straub incident
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category-inline}} * ''The Independent'' editions: ([https://www.independent.co.uk/ UK edition] {{*}} [https://www.the-independent.com/ US edition] {{*}} [https://www.independent.co.uk/asia Asia edition]) * [https://www.independentespanol.com/ Spanish-language edition] {{in lang|es}}
{{People's Vote}} {{Defunct newspapers of the United Kingdom}} {{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Independent, The}} Category:The Independent Category:1986 establishments in the United Kingdom Category:Centre-left newspapers Category:Centrism in the United Kingdom Category:Centrist newspapers Category:Daily newspapers published in the United Kingdom Category:Liberal media in the United Kingdom Category:National newspapers published in the United Kingdom Category:Newspapers established in 1986 Category:Newspapers published in London Category:Online newspapers with defunct print editions Category:Republicanism in the United Kingdom Category:Defunct daily newspapers Category:Newspapers disestablished in 2016