The Independent is marking its 40th anniversary with a line up of editorials and special events to celebrate its history of innovation and fearless reporting.
Since it was founded in 1986, The Independent has been a global force in news, founded on the principle of being free from political party allegiance and proprietor influence.
It was this spirit of innovation, disruption and free-thinking that led The Independent to forego print in 2016, recognising that the future was online. Now, its journalism can be found in the form of documentaries, podcasts, newsletters, YouTube shows, social media and of course the written word - all trusted by audiences around the world.
Editor-in-Chief Geordie Greig said: “The Independent started as a disruptor in the news industry and that spirit of innovation never really left us.
“We are proud of being ahead of the game as to how we reach our viewers, listeners and readers. We may have started with traditional print but today we move across multiple platforms and had a staggering 13 billion views across all our platforms last year.
“We move fast with ideas and reporting and also with our new Studio division which seeks new markets, new revenues and new Independent Members who subscribe.
“What remains constant is our values to be the most trusted news company which is why we are so proud for 40 years to be called and to be The Independent.”
To celebrate this innovative drive, The Independent is running its 40th anniversary programme based on the theme of “Independent then. Independent now. Celebrating 40 years of free thinking”.
The programme will start on Sunday with a number of guest contributors looking at how the world has changed since The Independent was founded.
A new membership programme will also be launched, open to all with the top ‘All Access’ tier available for six months available for just £1.
Members will be able to ask expert journalists questions via the Inside The Independent series, receiving direct access to those covering everything from war in the Middle East to the scandal rocking Manchester City.
Meanwhile, consumer platform IndyBest will publish pieces which examine game-changing products and world-altering technology from the past 40 years, whilst looking at what’s coming next.
The Independent will also launch its first ever film season, at the ICA with an exclusive pre-event for Independent Members on 19 October with a special reception, on-stage conversation between The Independent’s Editor-in-Chief Geordie Greig and much-loved author Helen Fielding.
There will also be a screening of Bridget Jones’ Diary – whose protagonist was famously created by Helen in The Independent newsroom and which features a scene filmed at the ICA.
This will launch the Celebrating Free Thinkers film festival at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) from 20–25 October, which members will receive special discounts to across the series.
An exhibition will take place at Outernet London from 19 October looking back at the past 40 years of The Independent via a powerful collection of never-before exhibited photography and iconic front covers, bringing together the stories, people and moments that have shaped our world - and the news it reported on and helped make.
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