FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, Oct. 8, 2001

Media General's Publishing Division Promotes Whittum to Publisher of The Dothan Eagle and Enterprise Ledger

DOTHAN, Ala. — Media General's Publishing Division has named James B. Whittum publisher-editor of The Dothan Eagle and the Enterprise Ledger, the company's daily newspapers in South Alabama.

"Jim Whittum is a respected journalist with a long tradition of producing top-quality newspapers," said Alan Davis, regional publisher of Media General's community newspapers in Alabama. "Our readers and staff will benefit from his leadership, creativity and experience."

As publisher of the Eagle and Ledger, Whittum will represent both newspapers in the community. As editor of the newspapers, he will oversee both newsrooms, working closely with Dothan Deputy Editor Ken Tuck and Enterprise Managing Editor Nan Stinnett.

Whittum comes to Dothan with more than 29 years of experience in newspapers. For the past eight years, he has been managing editor of The Advocate in Baton Rouge, La., which was named Newspaper of the Year by the Louisiana Press Association four out of the past six years. The Advocate also has won the national Investigative Reporters and Editors award two out of the past four years.

About Media General
Media General (NYSE: MEG) is an independent communications company situated primarily in the Southeast with interests in newspapers, television stations, interactive media and diversified information services. The company's publishing assets include The Tampa Tribune, the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Winston-Salem Journal and 22 other daily newspapers in Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama and South Carolina, as well as nearly 100 other periodicals and a 20 percent interest in The Denver Post. Media General's 26 network-affiliated television stations reach more than 30 percent of the television households in the Southeast, and nearly 8 percent of those in the United States. The company's extensive interactive media offerings include more than 50 online enterprises. Media General also has a 33 percent interest in SP Newsprint Co., which operates newsprint mills in Dublin, Ga., and Newberg, Ore.