The Independent, the global media powerhouse committed to making change happen, today announced two new US hires – Danika Fears as US Head of News, and Alex Lang as US Deputy News Editor. The new hires follow the appointment of US Editor Louise Thomas – who commenced her role in March 2024 after previously serving as the US Editor of MailOnline – and the promotion of Louise Boyle to US Deputy News Editor alongside Alex.
Danika Fears brings over a decade of editorial excellence to The Independent. After starting as Associate Editor at TODAY.com and reporting for the New York Post, she spent six years as Senior Breaking News Editor at The Daily Beast. There, she transformed a team of reporters into a dynamic newsroom, boosting story production and original reporting in politics, crime, breaking news, and exclusives. As US Head of News, Danika will lead the US editorial news team, setting the daily news agenda alongside Alex and Louise, ensuring The Independent continues to grow as a prominent news force for diverse audiences.
Alex, a seasoned news veteran with a career spanning two decades in the US, will lead news efforts across The Independent’s US editorial teams. Most recently, Alex served as the Assistant News Editor at Daily Mail, where he led breaking news and exclusives, delivering top news coverage to millions of readers daily. His investigative expertise earned him features on 20/20, Snapped, and numerous True Crime podcasts, showcasing his exceptional skill in uncovering compelling stories.
In March, The Independent attracted an average of 28.4 million US monthly readers, a 20% increase from the previous year, compared to other top news brands in the country which continue to see a decline in readership on average by 7%.*
Danika Fears, US Head of News, said: “Joining The Independent during this time of US expansion is exciting. My experience at The Daily Beast aligns perfectly with The Independent’s dynamic approach. I’m eager to bring my years of leading a breaking news team to The Independent’s smart and incisive storytelling, making this new role a perfect fit.”
Alex Lang, US Deputy News Editor, said: “I’m thrilled to join The Independent and its staff to continue to provide news coverage that readers have come to trust. I hope my experience can help further those efforts, as we continue to strive to provide readers coverage of what they need to know and what they want to know.”
Louise Thomas, US Editor, added: “Both Alex and Danika bring a superior level of journalistic standards along with an elevated sense of news and editorial expertise. Their leadership will help to propel The Independent as a valuable source for factual news and transparent reporting, as we continue to expand our editorial footprint across the US.”
