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Dialog Dramatically Improves Access to News Content
Company Announces Creation of NewsRoom, Unified News & Business Database Aggregating 6,500 Sources; Significant Enhancements Planned

CARY, NC, USA, March 1, 2002 -- Dialog, a Thomson business and a leading worldwide provider of online-based information services and integrated information solutions, today announced the launch of NewsRoom, a new online database that combines 6,500 sources of continually updated news into a unified file that can be searched using one search command.

NewsRoom includes broadcast transcripts, newspapers (including hundreds of regional newspapers from around the world), periodicals, newswires, trade and scholarly journals, and other content sources, in English and seven other languages, drawn from nearly 100 countries. The content pool is continually updated as new articles and reports are added from publishers and information aggregators worldwide.

The database is available for flat fee monthly subscriptions based on the number of users accessing the service, which allows for predictable budgeting by subscribing organizations. Individual articles and reports may also be purchased through Dialog's Web site (www.dialog.com) for US$2.95 per document downloaded or printed.

"Dialog has long been known for our unmatched depth of content and precision searching. NewsRoom is a significant initiative, the next step in our strategy of continuously improving our products to better meet customers needs," said Roy M. Martin, Jr., Dialog president and CEO. "Our users around the world have asked for a simpler way to access and track the news sources we offer, and now we are able to give them that tool. NewsRoom will provide a substantial value-add to the search capabilities of our existing services. We are excited to be bringing it to the marketplace."

NewsRoom content is available on all three of Dialog's online platforms (Dialog®, DataStar™ and Profound®). A backfile of two years of content also is now available. That backfile will grow significantly in the months ahead as additional archived content is uploaded to the three Dialog platforms.

The new service also will be enhanced as Dialog continues to integrate products offered by recently acquired NewsEdge, a provider of real-time news and information products and services to approximately 1,500 corporations and professional services firms worldwide.

The combination of the NewsEdge real-time news delivery with NewsRoom's continually updated database of 6,500 worldwide sources -- an offering expected to be completed later this year -- will make NewsRoom "a unique service unlike any other available in the professional information market," Martin said.

On the Dialog platform, NewsRoom may be found in new, separate files (#990-995 with simultaneous searching possible, and #990 offering the most recent information). On the DataStar platform, DataStar NewsRoom is file NEWS. On the Profound platform, the NewsRoom content is available seamlessly as part of the existing NewsLine section, increasing the total number of NewsLine sources to 6,500.

The database's 6,500 sources are categorized by publication type, geographic scope and industry topic. The database may be searched and articles and reports retrieved using keywords.

All search functions currently available through the three Dialog online platforms are applicable to the NewsRoom database. For example, pre-set alerting and clipping features also cover the new files on Dialog and DataStar, as well as on Profound's enhanced NewsLine.

The sources available through NewsRoom files are also currently available through various existing files on the three Dialog platforms. Those sources will continue to be available in those files.

Dialog has long had contracts in place directly and through intermediary information aggregators with broadcast transcribers, publishers, news services and other information providers to receive regular feeds of newly released articles and reports.

Among the information providers working with Dialog is Gale Group, another Thomson business.

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About Dialog
Founded in 1972 by Dr. Roger K. Summit, a pioneer in developing the technology behind electronic information retrieval, Dialog is the world leader in providing online-based information services to organizations seeking competitive advantages in such fields as business, science, engineering, finance and law.

Today, Dialog's three online platforms -- Dialog®, Profound® and DataStar™ -- offer users the ability to precisely retrieve data from more than 1.2 billion unique records, accessible via the Internet or through delivery to enterprise intranets. The content available ranges from articles and reports published in thousands of publications to in-depth repositories of patents, trademarks and other intellectual property data.

Corporate librarians, knowledge managers and other information professionals at more than 25,000 business, professional and government organizations in more than 100 countries prize Dialog services for their breadth and depth of content, precision searching and speed.

Headquartered in Cary, N.C., USA, with direct operations in 32 countries throughout North American, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, South Africa and the Asia Pacific, Dialog is a business of The Thomson Corporation. For more information about Dialog, please visit www.dialog.com. Or, please call (U.S./Canada) 800-3-DIALOG or (U.S.) 919-462-8600. Dialog's London office may be reached at (44) (0) 207-940-6900.

About The Thomson Corporation
The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com), with 2001 revenues of $7.2 billion, is a leading provider of integrated information solutions to business and professional markets worldwide. The Corporation's common shares are listed on the Toronto (TSE: TOC) and London stock exchanges.

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All designated trademarks used herein are the property of The Dialog Corporation or its subsidiaries. Registered marks are registered by The Dialog Corporation or its subsidiaries with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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