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• The Sakhalin Independent

 

The Sakhalin Independent

Baptising the first issue of The Sakhalin Times.

‘The Sakhalin Independent’ was founded by Petra Wijnsema and Yulia Nikishina and first published on 27 February 2003. The English language business weekly of 4-8 A3 pages had a circulation of 1,700 copies and was distributed free of charge at many locations in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the capital of Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East. The aim of the paper was to inform expatriates based on Sakhalin about news and events in the region and in Russia. The website had a top-ten position in Google when searching for 'Sakhalin'. Expats, including CEO's used to read the paper from cover to cover. The paper was also popular with Russians; it was used in English lessons. Due to the lack of funds to expand, the last edition was printed on 8 July 2005. The Sakhalin Independent was the successor of the 'Sakhalin Times', which was first published on 7 June 2001, and created by the same editorial staff. In February 2003 the editorial staff left the Sakhalin Times and founded the Sakhalin Independent.