The British media landscape is mourning the loss of one of its most influential figures, Sir Andreas Whittam Smith, the co-founder and first editor of The Independent, who has died at the age of 88.
His family confirmed the pioneering editor passed away on Saturday, marking the end of a decades-long career that fundamentally changed journalism in the United Kingdom.
The Birth of a New Voice in Journalism
Whittam Smith was the driving force behind the launch of The Independent in 1986, creating the broadsheet as a direct antidote to the entrenched partisanship that dominated Fleet Street at the time. He envisioned a newspaper free from corporate and political influence, championing neutrality, intellectual rigour, and a clean, modern design that prioritised clarity and depth over sensationalism.
Under his steadfast leadership, the publication quickly cultivated a devoted readership and earned a reputation for its courageous and independent reporting.
A Distinguished Career of Public Service
Born in Altrincham, Cheshire, in June 1937, Whittam Smith's path to journalism was not direct. He attended Birkenhead School before studying Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University.
After completing his national service as an infantryman, where he notably guarded Spandau Prison in Berlin, he began his professional life in finance at the stockbroking firm Laurence Prust.
His move into journalism started at The Investors Chronicle, after which he held senior editorial roles at The Daily Telegraph and The Financial Times, establishing himself as a sharp and respected business editor.
It was from this experience within the polarised media environment that the bold idea for The Independent was born. Together with colleagues Matthew Symonds and Stephen Glover, he launched the newspaper with its iconic masthead: “It is. Are you?”
A Lasting Legacy of Truth and Integrity
As editor, Whittam Smith's unassuming but determined leadership fostered an environment where bold editorial decisions thrived. He nurtured talented journalists, including renowned foreign correspondents Robert Fisk and Patrick Cockburn, helping to build the newspaper's global reputation.
After stepping down as editor in 1993, he continued to serve the public, taking on the role of president of the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) in 1998 and becoming the first Church Estates Commissioner in 2002.
His remarkable contributions to media and public life were formally recognised when he was knighted in 2015. He remained a prolific writer and commentator on political and economic affairs, contributing to The Independent until just recently.
Geordie Grieg, The Independent’s editor-in-chief, paid tribute, stating that Whittam Smith was a "heroic crusader for a global freedom for all press" whose creation broke the mould of British newspapers. His legacy of courage, independence, and an unconquerable desire to be on the side of truth continues to inspire.
