SouthtownStar Relaunched Today in New, Easy-to-Read Format; SouthtownStar Announces Debut of New Weekend Edition And Enhanced Online News Coverage

CHICAGO--(Business Wire)--
Sun-Times Media Group, Inc. (Pink Sheets:SUTMQ) announced today the successful
redesign and new format for its award-winning SouthtownStar newspaper, the most
comprehensive news source for Chicago`s Southland. With a history of more than
100 years of service to the Southland community, the SouthtownStar will offer
even more Southland news, sports and features, along with more names and faces
of readers` friends and neighbors.

Today, SouthtownStar readers got their first look at the improved newspaper,
which is now published in a convenient, easier-to-read tabloid format with the
same in-depth reporting and local features readers expect and demand. The
newspaper will now publish Sunday through Friday, and will debut its exciting
new Weekend Edition on Friday, August 21, 2009, which will combine the news and
features previously found in Friday and Saturday publications into one super
Weekend Edition.

The Weekend Edition will have popular columnists Phil Kadner and Donna Vickroy,
Southland news, sports and entertainment and movie features found previously in
Friday and Saturday publications. Sunday editions will continue to feature our
popular eight different Neighborhood Star sections offering in-depth coverage of
Southland communities.

"We are excited to provide our readers and advertisers a new SouthtownStar that
captures the heartbeat of the Southland," said Fred Lebolt, SouthtownStar
President and Publisher. "The new look and the launch of our new Weekend Edition
will provide readers with the information they need, and our advertisers with
exciting opportunities."

The SouthtownStar Web site has been designed to place a greater emphasis on
local news. Headlines are easy to find and hyper-local community news is
available on the NeighborhoodStar page of the Web site. Readers can also sign up
for headline alerts via e-mail and text message to take advantage of the staff`s
thorough coverage of breaking news and events. Readers can follow the
SouthtownStar on Twitter at twitter.com/southtownstar; comment on our community
blogs at blogs.southtownstar.com; and to get breaking news updates by text
message, text SOUTHTOWN to 20101. Readers also can manage their SouthtownStar
subscription online by clicking on customer service.

"The new SouthtownStar will continue the newspaper`s strong tradition of
in-depth reporting that our readers have come to expect from us," said Michelle
Holmes, editor of the SouthtownStar. "The SouthtownStar and southtownstar.com
will continue to carry more local stories and breaking news as it affects the
communities of the Southland. We are excited to introduce the improved newspaper
and online news to our readers, and look forward to their feedback."

"Advertisers will quickly see great benefits to the SouthtownStar`s new look and
feel," said Jerry Alger, Sun-Times News Group`s Vice President Advertising,
South/Southwest Region. "Our advertisers will have many exciting choices, from
increased advertising possibilities to premium placement opportunities made
possible by the new tabloid design. SouthtownStar Director of Advertising John
Doolin and I look forward to helping our advertisers reach the readers they
desire while getting the most for their advertising dollars. We invited them to
contact either of us or their local ad rep any time to discuss how we can help
them reach their advertising goals."

In addition to the exciting changes, the SouthtownStar will launch a new contest
called "South Siders Stand Up." Readers can participate by submitting reasons
why they love living in the Southland. Winners will be chosen based on
creativity and originality and by following the theme of the essay contest.
Participants have a chance to win up to $1,000 in gift certificates from local
Southland retailers. The contest will start on August 17, 2009 and run for four
weeks. Additional information can be found online at
www.southtownstar.com/standup.

About the SouthtownStar

The SouthtownStar is the 2007 merger of two of Chicago`s finest news
institutions and more than 200 years combined of journalism excellence: the
Daily Southtown, launched in 1906, and Star Newspapers, launched in 1901.

About Sun-Times Media Group

Sun-Times Media Group, Inc. is dedicated to being the premier source of local
news and information for the greater Chicago area. Its media properties include
the Chicago Sun-Times and Suntimes.com as well as newspapers and websites
serving more than 200 communities across Chicago. Further information can be
found at www.thesuntimesgroup.com .

Sun-Times Media Group, Inc.
Tammy Chase, 312-321-3230
tchase@suntimes.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009