The Independent To Be Re-launched

The Independent Becomes The Independent Financial Review

Statement made by Joan Withers, Chief Executive, Fairfax Media

The weekly Independent business newspaper is to relaunch on Wednesday, May 17, as The Independent Financial Review and will draw its content from a pool of more than 100 reporters and correspondents on both sides of the Tasman.

The new name was chosen to reflect the Independent’s reputation for authoritative, investigative reporting, and Fairfax’s commitment to make it New Zealand’s foremost business newspaper.

In addition to material generated by its own talented pool of reporters, The Independent Financial Review will enhance its editorial content through access to journalists working for The Australian Financial Review. Fairfax will also operate the Independent Financial Review alongside Fairfax Media’s Business Day (which provides business coverage to New Zealand daily newspapers), developing synergies between the two operations while retaining editorial independence.

While predominantly focused on New Zealand business, economic and political issues, The Independent Financial Review will include analysis and comment on Trans-Tasman business and political issues.

Australia is our largest and closest trading partner, and business and economic developments there are of great significant to New Zealand business. As a trading nation we need to develop a better understanding of Australian business from an Australian perspective.

The business weekly will continue to be published on a Wednesday.

Bernard Hickey, the Managing Editor of Fairfax’s business publications, will be the Independent Financial Review’s editor over the period of the relaunch.

In line with Fairfax Media’s commitment to media convergence, the relaunched publication will have an upgraded online presence, and provide subscribers with a daily email update of breaking business news.

Readers will also receive free copies of both the AFR Magazine and Boss Magazine each month.

As part of the relaunch, The Independent Financial Review has also undergone a redesign, giving the publication a cleaner, more modern layout and improved readability.

ENDS

© Scoop Media