15th February 2010 – Dublin: Independent News & Media PLC (“INM”) today announces that further to its statement issued on 18th December 2009 relating to its ongoing discussions with Mr. Alexander Lebedev regarding the future ownership of INM’s London-based titles, The Independent and Independent on Sunday, the period of exclusivity has been extended from today to 26th February 2010 to facilitate bringing these discussions to a successful conclusion.