JOHNSTON PRESS

AGREEMENT TO TERMINATE NEWS INTERNATIONAL PRINT CONTRACT

Johnston Press plc ("Johnston" or "the Company"), one of the leading multi-platform community media groups in the UK and Ireland, announces that it has reached agreement with News International ("NI") in exchange for a payment to Johnston of £30m to terminate NI's long term printing contracts at Johnston's Dinnington (near Sheffield) and Portsmouth facilities. The Company and NI intend to enter into new long term arrangements in due course to utilise capacity at Dinnington.

There is no planned headcount reduction at either facility as a result of this agreement and Johnston will explore new contract printing opportunities with immediate effect in order to maximise returns from the premium quality capacity at both Dinnington and Portsmouth.

For further information please contact:

Buchanan

Richard Oldworth/Louise Hadcocks 0207 466 5000