LOAN AGREEMENT

         This LOAN AGREEMENT, dated May 21, 1996 is made and entered into by and
between D.H. BLAIR INVESTMENT BANKING CORP.  ("Lender"),  a Delaware corporation
whose address is 44 Wall Street,  2nd Floor,  New York,  New York 10005 and NEWS
COMMUNICATIONS,  INC. ("News") and, a Nevada corporation whose address is 174-15
Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows, New York 11365, TRIBCO INCORPORATED, a
New York corporation  whose address is 174-15 Horace Harding  Expressway,  Fresh
Meadows,  New York 11365, and ACCESS NETWORK CORP., a New York corporation whose
address is 242 West 30th Street, New York, New York 10001 (each of the foregoing
a "Borrower" and collectively, the "Borrowers").

         WHEREAS,  the Borrowers  desire to borrow from Lender the principal sum
of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) (the "Loan"); and

         WHEREAS, Lender is willing to make the Loan upon the terms and 
conditions hereinafter set forth; and

         WHEREAS,  the  parties  desire to enter  into this  Loan  Agreement  to
reflect the terms and conditions of, and to describe their respective rights and
obligations with respect to, the Loan;

         NOW THEREFORE,  in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.       The Loan.  Lender agrees to make the Loan to the Borrowers in the 
principal amount of $1,000,000 on the terms and conditions contained herein and
as provided in the Note (as hereinafter defined).

2. Loan Terms (a) The Loan shall be evidenced  by a promissory  note as such may
be amended,  modified,  extended,  restated,  or a  promissory  note issued as a
replacement  or  substitution   therefor  (the  "Note")  payable  to  Lender  in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

         (b) The Loan  shall be payable in one  installment  of all  outstanding
principal and unpaid, accrued interest on May 21, 1998 (the "Maturity Date").

         (c) Interest shall accrue on the principal amount outstanding under the
Loan at the rate of eight and one-half  percent  (8-1/2%) per annum and shall be
payable  quarterly  commencing  on July 1, 1996 and on the Maturity  Date or the
date of any  other  payment  of  principal  under the  Note.  Interest  shall be
calculated  on a 365-day year basis and actual days  elapsed  from  disbursement
date until paid.

         (d) The entire amount of unpaid  principal and accrued  interest shall,
from and after the  Maturity  Date and from and after an "Event of Default"  (as
hereinafter defined), bear interest at the

                                        1

<PAGE>

rate equal to the lesser of (i) twenty-four percent (24%) per annum and (ii) the
maximum interest rate permitted by law.

         (e) The  Borrowers  may at any  time  prepay  in  whole  or in part the
principal  sum,  plus  accrued  interest  on the  amount so  prepaid  to date of
payment,  of the Note,  without premium or penalty.  Unless  otherwise agreed by
Lender,  any prepayments  shall be applied first to accrued interest and then to
the unpaid principal amount of the Loan.

         (f) The Loan, and each and every modification,  extension,  renewal, or
refinancing  thereof,   and  the  performance  of  all  covenants,   duties  and
obligations  of the  Borrowers  and the  compliance  by the  Borrowers  with all
conditions, representations and warranties set forth in this Loan Agreement, the
other "Loan  Documents" (as hereinafter  defined) and all documents  executed in
connection  herewith,  shall be secured by a security  interest in all assets of
the Borrowers  pursuant to a Security  Agreement annexed hereto as Exhibit B and
all of the  stock  of the  Borrowers  (other  than  News)  pursuant  to a Pledge
Agreement annexed hereto as Exhibit C.

         (g)  Simultaneously  with the  execution of this Loan  Agreement,  News
agrees to issue to Lender a  five-year  warrant to  purchase  200,000  shares of
common stock of News at an initial exercise price of $2.50 per share pursuant to
the Warrant (the "Warrant") annexed hereto as Exhibit D.

         (h) Lender shall not be required to make the Loan hereunder, unless and
until the following shall be satisfied:

                  1. The Loan  Agreement,  the Note, the Security  Agreement and
the Pledge Agreement  (collectively,  the "Loan Documents") and the Warrant have
been duly executed and delivered to Lender and shall be in full force and effect
in accordance with their terms.

                  2. The Borrowers shall have  theretofore  complied with all of
the  conditions,   terms,  covenants  and  agreements  contained  in  this  Loan
Agreement,  the other Loan  Documents and all  documents  executed in connection
herewith  including the Warrant and all  representations  and  warranties of the
Borrowers are true and correct as of the date of the borrowing.

                  3. At the time of the borrowing hereunder, the Borrowers shall
deliver to the Lender a certificate, dated the date of the borrowing, confirming
that no Event of Default (as hereinafter defined) or any event which upon notice
or  passage  of time or both would  constitute  an Event of  Default  shall have
occurred and be continuing at the time of such borrowing.

                  4. On or prior to the date of the borrowing hereunder, the 
Lender shall have received from News:

                                        2

<PAGE>

                           (x) A certificate of an officer of News dated the 
date of such borrowing and  certifying  (i) that attached  thereto is a true and
complete  copy of the  articles  and  bylaws of News as in  effect  prior to the
adoption of the resolutions referred to in the immediately  following clause and
at all times  since  such  adoption,  (ii) that  attached  thereto is a true and
complete  copy of the  resolutions  adopted  by the Board of  Directors  of News
authorizing  the execution,  delivery and performance of this Loan Agreement and
the other Loan Documents by all of the Borrowers and the Warrants by News, and

                           (y) such other documents as the Lender may reasonably
 request.

         (i) If any  payment  of  principal,  interest  or any other  amount due
hereunder is due upon a day which is not a day upon which the  Lender's  bank is
open for business  ("Business  Day") then such payment  shall be due on the next
succeeding Business Day and such extension shall in such case be included in the
computation of interest accrued thereon.

3.  Borrowers'   Representations,   Warranties  and  Covenants.   Each  Borrower
represents,  warrants,  and covenants to Lender that, as of the date hereof, and
as long as any amount hereunder or under the Note remains  outstanding (and with
respect to the Warrant, until expiration or exercise of the Warrant):

         (a) there is no  provision  of any  contract,  agreement,  indenture or
other  instrument  to which the  Borrower  is or will be a party  which would be
contravened or violated by any of the representations,  warranties, covenants or
agreements  made or  actions  to be taken  hereunder  or under  the  other  Loan
Documents or Warrant by such Borrower.

         (b) there is no action, suit, proceeding,  arbitration or investigation
pending at law or in equity or before any governmental agency or instrumentality
or, to the  knowledge of such  Borrower,  threatened  against or affecting  such
Borrower or which, in any case, might materially  adversely affect such Borrower
or its  operations,  business,  assets,  properties  or condition  (financial or
otherwise) or its ability to perform or otherwise comply with its obligations to
Lender.  If, in the  future,  such  action,  suit,  proceeding,  arbitration  or
investigation is pending or threatened,  such Borrower shall provide Lender with
immediate notification and the details thereof.

         (c) such Borrower is a corporation  duly organized and validly existing
under the laws of the state of its  incorporation.  Such  Borrower has the power
and  authority  to conduct all of the  activities  conducted by it and to own or
lease all of the assets owned or leased by it and such Borrower is duly licensed
or qualified to do business as a foreign  corporation  in all  jurisdictions  in
which the nature of its business require it to be so licensed or qualified. Such
Borrower is in all material  respects in compliance  with all laws,  regulations
and ordinances applicably to it.

                                        3

<PAGE>

         (d) the  execution,  delivery and  performance by such Borrower of this
Loan Agreement,  the other Loan Documents and the Warrant (i) do not require the
approval of any governmental  authority,  (ii) do not violate the certificate of
incorporation or bylaws of such Borrower and (iii) do not violate any provisions
of law,  any  writ,  order  or  decision  of any  court  or  other  governmental
authority,  or any  indenture,  agreement  or other  instrument  to  which  such
Borrower is a party or by which its  properties  may be bound or affected.  This
Loan Agreement,  the other Loan  Documents,  the Warrant and any other documents
executed by such  Borrower in  connection  herewith  are, or upon  execution and
delivery will be, the legal,  valid and binding  obligations  of such  Borrower,
enforceable in accordance with their respective  terms, and are not and will not
be, without Lender's prior written consent,  subordinated in right of payment to
any other obligation of such Borrower.

         (e) such  Borrower  has  obtained  all  necessary  corporate  and other
approvals for the execution and delivery of this Loan Agreement,  the other Loan
Documents and the Warrant.  Such Borrower has the power and authority to execute
this Loan Agreement,  the other Loan Documents and the Warrant and to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

         (f) except for approximately  $170,000 in overdue payroll taxes,  which
the Borrower will repay from the proceeds of the Loan, no delinquency  presently
exists  with  respect to payment of any tax,  assessment  or other  governmental
charge owing by such  Borrower.  There are no material  unresolved  questions or
claims concerning any tax liability of such Borrower.

         (g)  insurance of the types and in the amounts  customarily  carried in
lines of business similar to such Borrower is maintained and kept in force.

         (h) there is no condition of existing  default by such  Borrower  under
any agreement,  lease,  contract or other instrument which would have a material
adverse effect on such Borrower, its operations,  business,  assets, properties,
or condition  (financial or otherwise) or its ability to fulfill its obligations
to Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents or the Warrant.

         (i)  such  Borrower  has  no  contingent  or  disputed  liabilities  or
unrealized or  anticipated  losses which in the  aggregate are material,  or any
material commitments of an unusual or burdensome character.

         (j) there is no fact which materially  adversely affects the ability of
such Borrower to perform its  obligations to Lender which has not been set forth
herein.

         (k) none of this  Loan  Agreement,  the  other  Loan  Documents  or the
Warrant,  nor any  certificate,  statement or other document  furnished or to be
furnished to the Lender in connection with the transactions  contemplated hereby
or thereby  contains or will contain any untrue  statement  of material  fact or
omits  or will  omit to state a  material  fact  necessary  in order to make the
statements contained herein or therein, not misleading.

                                        4

<PAGE>


4.       Covenants.  Unless Lender otherwise agrees in writing, until payment 
and performance in full of the Loan and all obligations hereunder and under the
other Loan Documents, each Borrower shall:

         (a) duly and  punctually  pay or cause to be paid the  principal of and
interest  on the Note on the  dates,  in the  places and in the manner set forth
therein and herein,  and  perform  and  observe  all other  obligations  of such
Borrower under this Loan Agreement,  the other Loan  Documents,  the Warrant and
any other instruments, documents and agreements executed in connection herewith.

         (b)  maintain  and  preserve  its  existence,  rights,  privileges  and
franchises in good standing under the laws of the state of its incorporation and
of such states in which it may decide to maintain its existence and maintain its
right to  transact  business  in all  other  states  where  its  activities  and
ownership  of  assets  are such  that  qualification  to  transact  business  is
necessary under the laws of such states.

         (c) keep and  maintain  full and  accurate  accounts and records of its
operations  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted   accounting   principles
applicable to businesses of the type in which it is engaged and consistent  with
principles heretofore applied by it in preparation of its financial statements.

         (d)  with  respect  to News,  timely  file all  documents  and  reports
required  to be  filed by it  under  the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as
amended, and provide copies of all such filings, documents and reports to Lender
immediately  after their filing with the Securities  and Exchange  Commission or
any other governmental or regulatory body.

         (e) permit  Lender to inspect the accounts and records of such Borrower
at any time during normal business hours.

         (f) comply in all material respects with all laws,  regulations,  rules
and orders of  governmental  authorities  applicable to it or to its operations,
business or property.

         (g) duly  pay and  discharge,  all  wages,  indebtedness,  obligations,
assessments,  governmental  charges  and  taxes,  real and  personal,  including
federal and state income  taxes,  levied upon or assessed  against it or against
its  properties  or income prior to the date on which  penalties  were  attached
thereto,  unless and except to the extent only such shall be  contested  in good
faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted by it.

         (h) execute  and deliver to Lender such other and further  instruments,
security  agreements  documents and information and to do such other and further
acts as may be  reasonably  required  and  requested by Lender in order to fully
vest and maintain in Lender any security interest or rights herein contemplated.

                                        5

<PAGE>

         (i) promptly  after learning  thereof,  notify Lender in writing of the
occurrence  of (i) any Event of  Default  or any act,  condition,  or event that
would  constitute  an Event of Default upon notice,  failure to cure or lapse of
time or all of the foregoing;  (ii) any material adverse change in its business,
property,  assets, operations or condition (financial or otherwise) or (iii) the
pendency or threat of any  investigation or litigation or arbitration and of any
tax deficiency,  tax  determination or other proceeding  before any governmental
body or official affecting it.

         (j) will not voluntarily  create,  suffer,  or permit to be created any
new or additional liens against the "Collateral" (as such term is defined in the
Security Agreement) or any liens against the "Pledged  Securities" (as such term
is  defined in the  Pledge  Agreement)  except  any lien  created  hereby.  Each
Borrower  shall not  incur any  indebtedness  except in the  ordinary  course of
business  without Lender's prior written consent which shall not be unreasonably
withheld.

         (k) except with Lender's prior written  consent,  not (a) sell,  lease,
transfer,  spin off to shareholders  or otherwise  dispose of two or more of the
Borrowers' newspapers and/or other publications or any of the Pledged Securities
or (b) enter into any arrangement with any person with respect thereto.

5.       Events of Default.  If any of the events specified in this Section 5 
shall occur (herein individually referred to as an "Event of Default"):

        (i) Default in payment of principal or interest under the Note when due;

        (ii) A default  by any  Borrower  in any  obligation,  or  breach by any
Borrower  of any  representation,  warranty,  covenant or  agreement,  set forth
herein or in any other Loan Document or the Warrant,  or other documents  signed
by any  Borrower  in  connection  with the Loan  which is not cured or cannot be
cured by such  Borrower,  within  ten (10) days  after the Lender has given such
Borrower written notice of such default;

         (iii) The  institution by any Borrower of proceedings to be adjudicated
as bankrupt or insolvent,  or the consent by it to the institution of bankruptcy
or insolvency proceedings against it or the filing by it of a petition or answer
or consent seeking  reorganization or release under the federal Bankruptcy Code,
or any other applicable federal or state law, or the consent by it to the filing
of any such petition or the  appointment  of a receiver,  liquidator,  assignee,
trustee  or  other  similar  official  for  all or any  substantial  part of its
property or the taking of any action by any Borrower in  furtherance of any such
action;

         (iv) If,  within  sixty (60) days after the  commencement  of an action
against  any  Borrower  seeking  any  bankruptcy,  insolvency,   reorganization,
liquidation  or  similar  relief  under any  present or future  statute,  law or
regulation,  such action shall not have been resolved in favor of such Borrower,
or all orders or proceedings thereunder affecting the property of such Borrower,


                                        6

<PAGE>


stayed,  or if the stay of any such order or proceeding  shall thereafter be set
aside, or if, within sixty (60) days after the  appointment  without the consent
or  acquiescence  of such  Borrower of any  trustee or  receiver  for all or any
substantial party of its property such appointment shall not have been vacated;

         (v) Any  default  of any  Borrower  under  any  indebtedness  or  other
obligations  which  aggregate at least  $100,000 if such default is not cured by
such Borrower before the earlier of (1) ten (10) days after the Lender has given
such  Borrower  written  notice  of  such  default  or (2) the  obligee  of such
indebtedness or other obligation has made demand or notified the Borrower of any
acceleration and in either case, any cure period has lapsed; or

         (vi) The  rendering  of one or more  judgments  or orders  against  any
Borrower for the payment of money exceeding any applicable insurance coverage by
more than  $100,000 in the  aggregate,  and either (1)  enforcement  proceedings
shall have been  commenced by any creditor upon any such  judgment or order,  or
(2) there  shall be any period of 30  consecutive  days  during  which a stay of
enforcement  of any such  judgement or order,  by reasons of a pending appeal or
otherwise, shall not be in effect; or

         (vii) Any event if default under any other Loan Document; or

         (viii)  The  dissolution  or  liquidation  of  any  Borrower  or if any
Borrower  or its  directors  or  shareholders  shall take  action  approving  or
authorizing the dissolution or liquidation of such Borrower

         then,  with the  exception of an Event of Default  specified in clauses
(iii) or (iv) above,  the Lender may,  by notice to the  Borrowers,  declare any
outstanding  indebtedness to Lender under the Note and this Loan Agreement,  all
interest  thereon and all other  amounts  payable  hereunder or thereunder to be
immediately  due and  payable,  without  presentment,  demand,  protest or other
notice of any kind, all of which are hereby  expressly  waived by the Borrowers,
whereupon  the  principal  amount of the Note,  all such  interest  and all such
amounts shall become and be  immediately  due and payable,  and exercise any and
all of its other rights under applicable law.

         Upon the  occurrence of an Event of Default  specified in clauses (iii)
or (iv) above,  any  outstanding  indebtedness to Lender under the Note and this
Loan Agreement,  all interest thereon and all other amounts payable hereunder or
thereunder  shall thereupon and  concurrently  therewith become due and payable,
all without any action by the Lender, and without presentment,  demand,  protest
or other  notice of any kind,  all of which are hereby  expressly  waived by the
Borrowers,  anything  in  this  Loan  Agreement  or the  Note  to  the  contrary
notwithstanding.

         In addition to its rights hereunder Lender may also exercise any or all
of its rights contained in any other Loan Document.



                                        7

<PAGE>

6. Miscellaneous.

         (a) Any  notice  required,  desired  or  permitted  to be  given to the
Borrowers  or the Lender  hereunder  shall be in writing and shall be  delivered
personally,  sent  certified or registered  United States mail,  return  receipt
requested, or sent by overnight courier service addressed to:

         Borrowers:   Michael Schenkler
                      President
                      News Communications, Inc.
                      174-15 Horace Harding Expressway
                      Fresh Meadows, New York 11365

         Lender:      J. Morton Davis
                      Chairman
                      D.H. Blair Investment Banking Corp.
                      44 Wall Street
                      2nd Floor
                      New York, New York 10005

Such notices shall be deemed given (i) if delivered  personally,  upon delivery,
(ii) if mailed as  aforesaid,  two (2) business days after deposit in the United
States mail and (iii) if sent by  overnight  courier  service,  (1) business day
after  deposit  with the  courier  service.  Any party may change its address by
notice to the other parties.

         (b) In the event any term or  provision  of this  Loan  Agreement,  any
other Loan Document, the Warrant or any other instrument,  document or agreement
executed pursuant hereto shall be finally determined to be superseded,  invalid,
illegal or otherwise  unenforceable  pursuant to applicable law by any authority
having jurisdiction,  such determination shall not affect the validity, legality
or  enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions of this Loan Agreement,
any Loan  Document,  the  Warrant  or any such  other  instrument,  document  or
agreement,  which shall be enforced as if the  unenforceable  term or  provision
were deleted.

         (c) No  course  of  dealing  on  the  part  of  Lender,  its  officers,
directors, employees,  consultants or agents, nor any failure or delay by Lender
with  respect to  exercising  any rights,  remedy,  power or privilege of Lender
under this Loan  Agreement,  any other Loan  Document the Warrant,  or any other
instrument, document or instrument executed and delivered in connection herewith
at law or in equity  shall  operate as a waiver  thereof,  nor shall a single or
partial  exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise or the exercise
of any other right,  remedy,  power or privilege.  No waiver or consent shall be
effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Lender and then such
waiver or consent shall be effective  only in the specific  instance and for the
specific purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on the Borrowers in any
case shall  entitle the  Borrowers  to any other or further  notice or demand in
similar or other circumstances.

                                        8

<PAGE>

         (d) The  enforcement  of any rights of Lender to any  security  for the
Loan including under the Loan Documents shall not affect the rights of Lender to
enforce  payment of the Loan and to recover  judgement  for any portion  thereof
remaining  unpaid.  The rights and remedies herein  expressed are cumulative and
not exclusive of any right or remedy that Lender shall otherwise have.

         (e) This Loan Agreement,  the other Loan Documents, the Warrant and all
instruments,  documents or agreements executed pursuant hereto shall be governed
by and  construed in  accordance  with the laws of the State of New York without
giving effect to the principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

         (f) The  Borrowers  may not  assign any of their  respective  rights or
obligations  hereunder or under any of the other Loan  Documents or the Warrant,
without the prior written consent of Lender.  Any such  assignment  without such
consent  shall be void and shall  constitute  an Event of Default  hereunder and
under the other Loan  Documents.  Lender  may assign its rights and  obligations
hereunder  or under the other Loan  Documents  or the Warrant  without the prior
consent of the Borrowers.

         (g) This Loan Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit
of, and be enforceable  by, the Borrowers and the Lender,  and their  respective
successors and permitted assigns.

         (h) This Loan  Agreement  contains  the entire  agreement  between  the
Borrowers  and the  Lender  with  respect  to the  subject  matter  hereof,  and
supersedes and cancels any prior  agreements or  understanding,  oral or written
among the parties  hereto with respect  thereto.  This Loan Agreement may not be
amended or modified except in a writing signed by the Lender and the Borrowers.

         (i) All representations and warranties contained in this Loan Agreement
or made  in  writing  by or on  behalf  of  Borrowers  in  connection  with  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby shall  survive the  execution and delivery of
this  Loan  Agreement  and  of  the  other  Loan  Documents,  regardless  of any
investigation  at any time made by Lender or on its behalf.  This Loan Agreement
shall  continue  in full force and effect so long as any  amounts  borrowed,  or
expenses, fees, including legal fees, or interest remain unpaid.

         (j) This Loan Agreement may be executed in any number of  counterparts,
each of which shall be an original,  but all of which together shall  constitute
one  agreement.  This Loan  Agreement  will be deemed to be a binding  agreement
among the parties hereto upon the receipt by each party of fully executed copies
of this Agreement by mail, facsimile or otherwise.

         (k) The Lender is not a partner or a joint  venturer with the Borrowers
with  respect  to the  transactions  contemplated  hereby or by the  other  Loan
Documents or the Warrant and the Lender shall not be deemed  liable as such with
respect to any liability of the Borrowers.

                                        9

<PAGE>

         (l) The  Borrowers  hereby  consent to service of any notice,  process,
motion or other  document in  connection  with any  lawsuit or other  proceeding
arising out of or relating to this Loan  Agreement,  the other Loan Documents or
the Warrant,  by registered mail, return receipt  requested,  to the address set
forth in Section  6(a)  hereof or such  other  address  as the  Borrowers  shall
provide the Lender in writing and the Borrowers  hereby waive any right to trial
by jury in any such lawsuit or proceeding.

         (m) Each Borrower  hereby agrees not to raise or interpose any defense,
set-off  or  counterclaim  of any kind or  nature  whatsoever  which it may have
against the Lender in any action  brought  upon this Loan  Agreement,  the other
Loan  Documents  or the Warrant and each  Borrower  acknowledges  that it has no
defense of any kind or nature to the  enforcement  of this Loan  Agreement,  the
other Loan Documents and the Warrant or to the binding nature of the obligations
represented hereby or thereby.

         (n) The Borrower  agrees to pay all of Lender's legal fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the documentation, negotiation and execution of this
Loan  Agreement,  the other Loan  Documents  and the  Warrant,  and all expenses
incurred,  including  legal fees and expenses,  in collecting  any of Borrower's
obligations hereunder or thereunder.

D.H. BLAIR INVESTMENT                    NEWS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
BANKING CORP.


By: /s/ J. Morton Davis                  By: /s/ Michael Schenkler
    -------------------------                ----------------------------
    J. Morton Davis                          Michael Schenkler
    Chairman                                 President


                                         TRIBCO INCORPORATED


                                         By: /s/ Michael Schenkler
                                             ----------------------------
                                             Michael Schenkler
                                             President


                                         ACCESS NETWORK CORP.


                                         By: /s/ Michael Schenkler
                                             ---------------------------
                                             Michael Schenkler
                                             President



                                       10

<PAGE>