THE NATIONAL Newspapers of Ireland (NNI) has expanded its membership to include the 36 local and regional newspapers owned by its member publishers.

Commenting on the news, Maeve Donovan, chairwoman of NNI and managing director of The Irish Times Limited, said: “It is a natural progression to expand the organisation to include our local and regional titles, which face similar challenges and are similarly affected by industry and public policy issues.”

NNI was founded in 1985. It promotes newspapers as a comprehensive source of news and information, as well as the most effective medium for advertising.

NNI Local and Regional Newspapers has appointed Dan Linehan, chief executive of TCH Regional Newspapers, as its first chairman. “The objectives of NNI Local and Regional Newspapers will very much mirror those of NNI, promoting the unique qualities of local and regional newspapers and actively engaging with the legislators on the issues affecting local press,” said Mr Linehan. Frank Cullen, the co-ordinating director of NNI, will assume the same role for NNI Local and Regional Newspapers.