FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          AT
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1995                              (202) 616-2771
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888


STATEMENT OF ANNE K. BINGAMAN, ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE
ANTITRUST DIVISION REGARDING THE DISTRICT COURT'S DECISION TO
PREVENT THE ACQUISITION OF THE NORTHWEST ARKANSAS TIMES BY THE
OWNERS OF ITS MAIN COMPETITOR:

     "Consumers and small businesses in Northwest Arkansas are
the winners in this case.  The court has prevented a near
monopoly.  As a result, the vigorous competition for newspaper
readers and advertisers between the Northwest Arkansas Times and
the Morning News of Northwest Arkansas will continue."

     "As the first merger case litigated from beginning to end
since I became Assistant Attorney General, this decision is
especially gratifying.  This is an example of the investigatory
techniques and strong litigation skills we now apply to merger
cases."

     "Success in litigation is crucial to a strong antitrust
enforcement program.  The Antitrust Division will continue its
vigilant antitrust enforcement because preserving competition is
vital to a strong American economy."

     The court issued a permanent injunction today against the
acquisition of the Northwest Arkansas Times, located in
Fayetteville, Arkansas, by the Stephens family of Little Rock. 
The Stephens family owns the Morning News of Northwest Arkansas,
which also circulates in the Fayetteville/Springdale metropolitan
area.  The injunction followed an eight-day trial in early May 
1995 of a civil antitrust lawsuit filed by the Department.  The 
government's suit contended the acquisition likely would lead to
lower quality and higher prices for newspaper readers and
advertisers.

     The case was litigated by the Antitrust Division's Merger
Task Force.  Bingaman thanked the United States Attorney's Office
for the Western District of Arkansas for their cooperation and
assistance in the litigation.
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