Yet another newspaper discards printed version

The last print edition of British newspaper the Independent is pictured in London, Britain, 26 March 2016. The Independent released its last print edition on 26 March 2016, though will continue as an online newspaper. / EPA-Yonhap

By Park Si-soo

The British newspaper The Independent published its last printed edition on Saturday (local time). The newspaper will now be available only online.

A poignant front-page wraparound carried the words “STOP PRESS” in red on a white background, followed by, “Read all about it in this, our final print edition ― 1986- 2016.”

The final front page also featured an picture of train passengers being evacuated during an anti-terrorism operation in Brussels under the headline “A city on the edge: another day of fear in Brussels.”

The Independent's Russian-born British owner, Evgeny Lebedev, who announced the closure of the print edition last month, wrote that journalism had “changed beyond recognition” and that the newspaper “must change too,” according to media reports.

The Independent, which three journalists set up in 1986, became known for its eye-catching, campaigning front pages and emphasis on photos.

At the peak of its popularity, it had a circulation of more than 420,000, but this slumped to 40,000.