The Independent was a newspaper owned by the same person who owned The Sun, but was more "reputable" — at least in Rebecca's estimation.
Indeed, The Sun's decision to squash the false story about Ted and Keeley possibly having a romantic relationship was contingent upon Ted doing an exclusive interview with The Independent.
The reporter chosen for that assignment was Trent Crimm, someone who had previously dealt the American some tough questions in a presser at the Dogtrack.
Behind the scenes[]
The paper is a real one — and it has a better reputation than The Sun, just as Rebecca said. But it is not owned by the same person as The Sun