Mourning the Independent: internet responds to print closures

Former staffers and media figures tweet fond farewells to 30-year-old paper and remember its best front pages

News of the closure of the print editions of the Independent and Independent on Sunday was met with sadness on Friday.

Former staffers of the newspaper, competitors, editors and journalists all weighed in with praise for the 30-year-old publication and its staff.

Mourning loss of The Independent, a vital liberal voice in a British press dominated by Tory papers. Thoughts with good journos losing jobs

— Kevin Maguire (@Kevin_Maguire) February 12, 2016

The enthusiasm and loyalty of Indy staff is hard to beat. Very sad to see it disappear from newsstands

— James Ashton (@mrjamesashton) February 12, 2016

The Independent to close - but what an amazing run they've had of late under editor @amolrajan such a shame

— Matthew Wright (@Matthew_Wright) February 12, 2016

I so agree; @JohnRentoul, @iburrell & Hamish McRae among many ''stand-outs' in their chosen fields. https://t.co/FMoOASXfvm

— Alastair Stewart (@alstewitn) February 12, 2016

So farewell Indy print edition, we will miss you! https://t.co/chVauPc3cF

— Lionel Barber (@lionelbarber) February 12, 2016

Many chose to highlight the newspaper’s reputation for bold front pages.

Pick of the bunch for me pic.twitter.com/kRK8GNJ99F

— Jack Blanchard (@Jack_Blanchard_) February 12, 2016

No newspaper has such agenda setting front pages as The Indy. It always grabbed your attention (pic via @suttonnick) pic.twitter.com/9LmFTNEXWF

— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) February 12, 2016

Perhaps my favourite Indy front page...understated but so powerful pic.twitter.com/4aw96TGAj9

— Ian Birrell (@ianbirrell) February 12, 2016

While others wondered about the impact on the UK’s media landscape.

Sad day,Indy stops printing.Started as a great newspaper.Its loss makes political balance of British press yet worsehttps://t.co/rx4vqCkYSd

— Polly Toynbee (@pollytoynbee) February 12, 2016

A sad and significant moment for the print newspaper industry https://t.co/C6tuYvrAOp

— Isabel Oakeshott (@IsabelOakeshott) February 12, 2016

The future may be online, but quite sobering to consider the political balance of UK newsstands once the Indy goes.

— Joel Gunter (@joelmgunter) February 12, 2016

And some simply remembered starting their careers on the newspapers.

Shitty news about Indy. Didn't have sodding clue what I was doing when I started there. Was given a chance, learned from some amazing people

— Richard Hall (@_RichardHall) February 12, 2016

I have a career because of the Indie - they took a punt, gave me a job. Gutted for all my mates there. Terrible day. pic.twitter.com/ke9JboqqAn

— Michael Savage (@michaelsavage) February 12, 2016

Contributor

Jasper Jackson

The GuardianTramp

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