Independence Club
The "Tongnip Sinmun" went through four phases from its start to discontinuance. The first phase was the period from April 7 to July 2, 1896, which was the interval of time between the first publication of the newspaper and the establishment of the "Tongnip Hyeophoe" (독립협회 , lit. "Independence Club"). During this period the primary focus of the newspaper concerned national enlightenment. Also during this period, the "Tongnip Sinmun" was very cooperative with the government and provided the reading public with explanations of government policies. Its articles were politically moderate in tone even as it began to exert its influence on national consciousness and thought.