Indy closes: Reaction as Independent owner Evgeny Lebedev switches off printing presses

The final edition of The Independent and The Independent on Sunday will be printed in March after owner Evgeny Lebedev announced on 12 February that the newspapers will become online-only publications.

In an email to employees, Lebedev wrote the future of the titles lies in digital publishing. "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 statement said.

The news brought mixed reactions from readers and commentators alike, including former Sun editor Kelvin Mackenzie, who said "it's not going to be much of a sad loss to be honest". Below is a flavour of what people have been saying:

RIP @Independent newspaper 1986 - 2016. #SuperbJournalism #SuperbJournalists pic.twitter.com/Mt9Us4h4gr
— Layth Yousif (@comet_layth) February 12, 2016

Absolutely gutted to hear the news about @Independent. The British media will be greatly the poorer for its demise.
— Matthew Smith (@TheFifthSmith) February 12, 2016

Sad to hear @Independent ceasing print operation. Some great journalists/writers, worth paying for. Seems a waste just to give away online
— Oliver Kay (@OliverKayTimes) February 12, 2016

So so sad to hear about closure of the Independent, a fine paper with such good people working for it. Will miss writing columns for it.
— Isabel Hardman (@IsabelHardman) February 12, 2016

End of an era for @Independent, but positive that it will get to focus on & expand digital coverage before many rivals inevitably join it
— Gary McKenna (@Gary_Mckenna) February 12, 2016

Very sad news about The Independent - a bad day for British media.
— Steve Wilson (@SteveWilson1967) February 12, 2016

Of course, not everyone was shedding a tear at the demise of the 30-year-old title while some saw the writing on the wall:

I guess there's little point in saying it's sad about the @independent if like me you rarely actually bought it. #Independent
— Ken Banks (@kiwanja) February 12, 2016

The Independent has never had a solid circulation and has been in trouble for years. It hardly seems a surprise.
— Neil Morrison (@neilmorrison) February 12, 2016

I wonder how many people weeping into their Lattes about the closure of The Independent actually ever bought a hard copy? Not enough plainly
— Ergo (@SniersMoregut) February 12, 2016

The @Independent had become a shadow of itself and not worth reading any more, but learning about its closure still saddens me greatly.
— Evan O'Connell (@evanoconnell) February 12, 2016

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