Rt Hon Paddy Ashdown MP and Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke QC MP join Board of UK Subsidiary

The Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke is also appointed to the Groups Advisory Board.

The appointments are effective immediately.

Dr. AJF O'Reilly said:

"We welcome the strengthening of our UK Board through the appointments of Paddy Ashdown and Kenneth Clarke. Both gentlemen bring a tremendous range of experience and abilities to our affairs. Their joining coincides with a period of exciting developments in our UK activities including the tie-up with Vodafone, the increasing circulation of the key Independent titles and the expansion into larger office premises."

Background

Independent News & Media PLC is a Global Media Group, listed on the Irish, UK and New Zealand Stock Exchanges. The Group's interests include the largest publisher of Newspapers in Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand and Portugal, and the largest publisher of Regional Newspapers in Australia. In addition, the Group has significant Radio interests in Australia and New Zealand, and also operates in Outdoor Advertising in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.

Other members of the UK Board already include: Mr. LP Healy (Chairman), Mr. BMA Hopkins (Chief Executive), Dr. AJF O'Reilly, Mr. B. Bradlee, Senator Maurice Hayes, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, Mr. A Whittam-Smith.

Ends. Tuesday, 26th October 1999 For Reference: Brendan MA Hopkins, Chief Executive, Independent News & Media (UK) Tel: 0171 363 7788

Pat Walsh,

Murray Consultants Ltd., Tel: 353 1 661 466