독립신문은 1896년 4월 7일 서재필이 창간한 최초의 근대적 민간신문이다. 창간 당시에는 한글판(‘독닙신문’) 3면과 영문판(‘The Independent’) 1면으로 주3회 발행되었다. 1897년부터는 한글판과 영문판으로 분리되고, 1898년 7월 1일부터는 일간으로 발행되었다.

독립신문은 가로제호, 한글전용, 띄어쓰기 등을 도입하였고, 1면 머리에 논설을 실어 정부와 집권 위정자들을 비판하고 탐관오리의 부정부패를 폭로하는 등 민간신문의 모델이 되었다. 또한 독립신문 영문판은 당시 외국인에게 조선의 사정을 알리는 역할을 맡았다.

우리나라 근대 개화운동사·언론사·국어사 등 개화기 각종 분야에서 중요한 자료이다.

Dongnip sinmun (The Independent), Korea’s first modern newspaper, was published by Seo Jae-pil (also known as Philip Jaisohn) on April 7, 1896. At the time of its initial publication, the newspaper consisted of a three-page Korean edition and a one-page English edition, and was published three times a week. It began life as a daily publication on July 1, 1898. The newspaper opted exclusively for Hangeul (Korean Alphabet) and used word spacing in the contents, with the title printed horizontally. In particular, the editorial on the front page criticized the government by reporting on corrupt officials, and presented a role model to other private newspapers. In addition, the English-language edition of the paper played a significant role in reporting the domestic situation of Joseon to the wider world. It is regarded as highly valuable in many respects, including its part in the history of the enlightenment movement, the Korean press, and Korean language, during modern times in Korea.