Independent editor explains decision to end print editions

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35569608

Version 0 of 2.

The editor of the Independent has written a letter in the newspaper to its readers explaining why it will cease print editions in March.

On Friday, owners ESI Media announced the paper would become "digital only".

Amol Rajan said this would be a shock to "treasured" print readers and acknowledged that to some "focusing on digital doesn't appeal so much".

But he said: "The simple fact is, there just aren't enough people who are prepared to pay for printed news."

'Thud on doormat'

ESI said on Friday it would be making "some editorial redundancies" and that the last print edition of the Independent would be published on Saturday 26 March, while the last Independent on Sunday would be on 20 March.

It also confirmed it would sell its sister title, i newspaper, to the Johnston Press publishing group, for an expected £24m, subject to approval from Johnston's shareholders.

Rajan said money from this sale would be invested in the paper's digital move, adding that many of the paper's writers would continue to write "the same amount of journalism" for the publication's website.

But he added: "I know that is of little comfort to you, our print readers.

"Like me you love the rustle and whiff of the paper, the thud on the doormat when it arrives, and the serendipity of each edition."

Rajan said that because circulation and advertising were "very substantially" down the future of the print edition "would inevitably be one of managing decline".

He said the paper was read by "millions every day" but these people were doing so through mobile phones and digital networks.

Rajan added that the "multimillion pound investment" from the paper's owners, the Lebedev family, would be used to launch a worldwide bureaux and a new subscription mobile app.

The Independent was set up in 1986, and at its peak in 1989 had a circulation of more than 400,000 copies, but December's figures showed it lagging far behind rival national newspapers.

Russian billionaire Alexander Lebedev took control of the loss-making newspapers in 2010 when he bought Independent News for Media for £1.