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Around 100 journalists at risk of redundancy as a result of Independent dropping print edition

By Dominic Ponsford

Around 100 journalists are at risk of redundancy out of a total staff of around 150 as The Independent print edition closes next month.

But 25 new jobs are set to be created as the paper becomes a digital-only title.

According to a management source the total reundancies figure is expected to be less than 100, and could be around 75.

The i's dedicated editorial team is set to increase by around 35 to 51 following its sale to Johnston Press for £24m.

Oliver Duff will continue as editor of i and said in his reader's letter today: "Johnston Press will, I believe, be ambitious, passionate and considerate owners of the newspaper. They first approached our current owners precisely because they admire the ethos of i: its brevity, quality and impartiality. They intend to honour this title's commitment to innovation and independent journalism."

Duff said that in future the i's content will come from: its own staff, The Independent website, the Evening Standard and the 900 Johnston Press regional press journalists working around the UK.

The i is also set to launch a new website iNews.co.uk.

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Independent editor Amol Rajan told Channel 4 News that "well over 100 people are being made redundant", but he added: "The idea that the Independent is shutting or closing is complete and utter nonsense.

"The Independent is focusing on its digital future which is the future for all of us.

"I love newspapers, I cherish this thing… But the fact is the business model for paid-for news Monday to Friday is kaput."

The Independent has said it will launch a new paid-for app and create new editorial bureaux in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. More investment has also been promised in the USA.

The last edition of The Independent will be published on 26 March and The Independent on Sunday on 20 March.
 

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