The origins of INM are in the early part of the 20th century in Ireland, where Independent Newspapers was founded by William Martin Murphy in Dublin in 1904.

The company initially published a morning paper, with a strong emphasis on an independent editorial policy. As the company grew it added an evening and a Sunday title. Over the next few decades, the company established itself as the leading Irish owned national newspaper company and in the 1960s became involved in regional newspapers in Ireland.

In 1973 Sir Anthony O'Reilly bought into the company as the principal shareholder from the Murphy family, who still held a controlling shareholding at that time. Under his direction the company developed the strategy of having a diversified earnings base from markets all over the world. This was the catalyst for the growth of the Group, which expanded into newspapers and radio in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

INM is now a fast-growing international media and communications group, with interests in newspaper and magazine publishing, commercial printing, outdoor advertising, broadcasting and the internet. The Group's main markets are Australia, India, the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa.