Russian billionaire Alexander Lebedev, who was once a KGB agent stationed in London and bought Britain's The Independent newspaper in March, is launching a new paper, called "i," the Independent website said.
"i, the U.K's first quality daily newspaper to launch in almost 25 years, will go on sale nationwide on Tuesday, October 26, 2010. Created by The Independent, i is designed for readers who want a concise, quality daily paper for just 20p. [pence]," the website said.
The new paper, to be edited by the Independent's editor-in-chief Simon Kelner, will be issued on working days and "complement an improved Independent."
According to the website, i is "specifically targeted at readers and lapsed readers of quality newspapers, and those of all ages who want a comprehensive digest of the news in printed form."
"My commitment is to a strong vibrant free press as well as creating innovative media ventures with first class journalism," Lebedev, who also co-owns Russian pro-democracy newspaper Novaya Gazeta together with former President Mikhail Gorbachev, was quoted on the website as saying.
Lebedev's son, Evgeny, the Chairman of Independent Print, Ltd., said he and his father believed that "a free press is a fundamental tool of a democracy" and that "newspapers still have a future, and a very important one."
Kelner described the new paper as "the first post-modern newspaper, attractive to those who prize intelligence, convenience and desirability."
Alexander Lebedev also owns another respected British paper, The Evening Standard of London.
LONDON, October 18 (RIA Novosti)
