AGREEMENT OF NEWS CORPORATION, DOW JONES & COMPANY, INC. AND THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE Dated as of [l]
Exhibit
10.2
OF
NEWS
CORPORATION,
DOW
XXXXX & COMPANY, INC.
AND
THE
SPECIAL COMMITTEE
Dated
as of [l]
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE
I SPECIAL COMMITTEE
|
1
|
||
1.1 | Establishment | 1 | |
1.2
|
Composition
|
2
|
|
1.3
|
Meetings
and Actions of the Special Committee
|
4
|
|
1.4
|
Roles
and Responsibilities of the Special Committee
|
5
|
|
1.5
|
Arbitrating
and Resolving Disputes
|
8
|
|
1.6
|
No
Modification
|
8
|
ARTICLE
II THE COMPANY
|
8
|
||
2.1
|
Representations,
Warranties and Agreements of the Company and Dow Xxxxx
|
8
|
ARTICLE
III MEMBERS
|
9
|
||
3.1
|
Powers
of Execution
|
9
|
|
3.2
|
Compensation;
Expenses; Support of the Members
|
9
|
|
3.3
|
Performance
of Duties; Access to Information and Advisors
|
10
|
|
3.4
|
Liability;
Indemnification of Members
|
10
|
ARTICLE
IV MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
|
11
|
||
4.1
|
Notices
|
11
|
|
4.2
|
Governing
Law
|
12
|
|
4.3
|
Interpretation;
Headings and Sections
|
12
|
|
4.4
|
Amendment
and Waiver
|
13
|
|
4.5
|
Assignment;
Third Party Beneficiaries
|
13
|
|
4.6
|
Counterparts
|
13
|
|
4.7
|
Severability
|
13
|
|
4.8
|
Remedies
|
14
|
|
4.9
|
No
Strict Construction
|
14
|
|
4.10
|
Entire
Agreement
|
14
|
|
4.11
|
Submission
to Jurisdiction
|
14
|
|
4.12
|
Waiver
of Jury Trial
|
15
|
SCHEDULES
Schedule
A
|
Initial
Members of the Special Committee
|
Schedule
B
|
Covered
Employees
|
i
OF
NEWS
CORPORATION,
DOW
XXXXX & COMPANY, INC.
AND
THE
SPECIAL COMMITTEE
AGREEMENT
(this “Agreement”), dated as of [l], by and
among
NEWS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), DOW XXXXX &
COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Dow Xxxxx”), and the Special
Committee (as defined below).
Recitals:
WHEREAS,
the Company, Dow Xxxxx and certain other parties have entered into an Agreement
and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 31, 2007 (the “Merger Agreement”),
pursuant to which the Company is acquiring all of the issued and outstanding
shares of capital stock of Dow Xxxxx;
WHEREAS,
in connection with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, certain
Xxxxxxxx Investors (as defined in the Merger Agreement) have executed and
delivered a Voting and Support Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2007 (the
“Voting Agreement”) pursuant to which those Xxxxxxxx Investors have
agreed to vote, or cause to be voted, the shares of capital stock of Dow Xxxxx
beneficially owned by them in favor of the adoption of the Merger
Agreement;
WHEREAS,
pursuant to the Merger Agreement, (i) each of the Company and Dow Xxxxx is
required to adopt, execute and deliver, and comply with, and cause its
subsidiaries, as applicable, to comply with, this Agreement and (ii) the Company
is required to establish and maintain the Special Committee contemplated by
this
Agreement; and
WHEREAS,
it is a condition to Dow Jones’s obligation to consummate the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement and a condition to the willingness of
the
Xxxxxxxx Investors to execute and deliver the Voting Agreement, that in
connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement, the Company and Dow Xxxxx shall have adopted and executed and
delivered this Agreement, and the Company shall have established the Special
Committee and appointed the Initial Committee Members (as defined in the Merger
Agreement) to the Special Committee.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and the mutual covenants and
agreements herein made and other good and valuable consideration, the parties
hereto hereby agree as follows:
1
ARTICLE
I
SPECIAL
COMMITTEE
1.1 Establishment.
(a) The
Company hereby establishes a stand-alone special committee (the “Special
Committee”) to oversee and enforce compliance by the Company and Dow Xxxxx
and their Affiliates with the terms of this Agreement and to perform the
obligation and undertake its responsibilities and rights
hereunder. The Special Committee shall have perpetual
existence. For the avoidance of doubt, the Special Committee is a
special committee of the Company and is not a committee of the Board of
Directors of the Company or Dow Xxxxx.
1.2 Composition.
(a) The
Special Committee shall consist of five (5) members (“Members”) who are
distinguished community or journalistic leaders and who are independent of
the
Company, Dow Xxxxx, the Xxxxxxx family, the Xxxxxxxx family and their respective
Affiliates (as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934,
as amended). As used in this Agreement, the term “independent” shall
refer to persons who, in the sole judgment of the Special Committee, are
able to
consider and evaluate objectively any issue that comes before the Special
Committee and whose judgment is not impaired by any interest in or relationship
with the Company, Dow Xxxxx, the Xxxxxxx family, the Xxxxxxxx family or their
respective Affiliates. Employees, directors and consultants of the
Company, Dow Xxxxx or their respective Affiliates shall be deemed not to
be
independent. Any Member shall promptly report to all of the other
Members any change in his or her circumstances which may reasonably be expected
to bear on the determination of his or her status as independent (as defined
herein).
(b) The
Members of the Special Committee shall be divided into three classes. The
first
class shall consist of one Member and the second and third classes shall
consist
of two Members. The initial term of the first class shall expire on December
31,
2012; the initial term of the second class shall expire on December 31, 2013;
the initial term of the third class shall expire on December 31,
2014. Upon the expiration of the term of any class, a new term of the
class shall commence, and this term shall expire on the fifth anniversary
of the
commencement of this term. Subject to Sections 1.2(e) and 1.2(f),
each of the Members in a class of the Special Committee shall hold office
until
expiration of the term of such class and the appointment of his or her successor
as a Member of such class.
(c) Upon
the expiration of the term of a class, a majority of the remaining Members
of
the Special Committee shall appoint or reappoint an individual or individuals,
as applicable, selected by the Special Committee as a Member or Members,
as
applicable, of the class for the new term then commencing. Any
appointment or reappointment shall be subject to the approval of the Company,
which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Any proposed
appointment or reappointment shall be deemed to be approved by the Company
if no
written objection to the appointment or reappointment is received from the
Company by the Special Committee within ten (10) business days following
the
Company’s receipt from the Special Committee of written notice of the proposed
appointment or reappointment. Subject to
2
the foregoing sentence, a Member may be reappointed to the Special Committee upon the expiration of the term of his or her class. |
(d) The
Special Committee shall appoint an individual selected by a majority of the
remaining Members of the Special Committee as a Member to fill any vacancy
in
any class of the Special Committee resulting from any resignation, death
or
removal of a Member. Any such appointment shall be subject to the
approval of the Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed. Any proposed appointment shall be deemed to be approved by
the Company if no written objection to the appointment is received from the
Company by the Special Committee within ten (10) business days following
the
Company’s receipt from the Special Committee of notice of the proposed
appointment. Any Member appointed in accordance with the foregoing
shall be a Member of the class of the Special Committee in which the vacancy
existed.
(e) A
Member may resign from the Special Committee by submitting a letter to the
Chairman of the Special Committee, who will confirm receipt in writing and
notify the Special Committee of this resignation. In the event that
the Chairman resigns, the Chairman shall submit a letter of resignation to
each
of the remaining Members, any one of who shall confirm receipt in
writing. A resignation shall take effect at the time specified
therein and, if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt by the Chairman
or the remaining Members, as applicable. A Member shall resign
forthwith if his or her circumstances change such that the Member ceases
to be
(or the other Members determine that the Member ceases to be) independent
(as
defined herein).
(f) A
Member may be removed from the Special Committee if determined by the unanimous
vote of the other Special Committee Members that (x) he or she has materially
failed to fulfill his or her responsibilities as a Member (it being acknowledged
and agreed that any substantive dispute over decision-making under this
Agreement shall not constitute such a failure), or (y) such Member has ceased
to
be independent (as defined herein); provided, however, that the Special
Committee may not remove a Member on the basis of this determination unless
(i)
the Special Committee shall have given each of such Member and the Company
notice specifying in reasonable detail the acts or failure to act on the
part of
the Member giving rise to the Special Committee’s determination, (ii) the Member
shall have been given at least ninety (90) days after the delivery of such
notice to the Member to discontinue, and during such time shall have not
discontinued, the acts or failures to act specified in the notice and (iii)
each
of the Member and the Company shall have been given the opportunity to address
the Special Committee prior to the Special Committee taking this
action. A Member may also be removed from the Special Committee by
determination of a majority of the other Members for “Cause.” For
purposes of this paragraph 1.2(f), “Cause” shall mean a plea of guilty or nolo
contendere to, or nonappealable conviction of, a felony on the part of a
Member,
which conviction or plea, of the action or failure to act giving rise to
the
conviction or plea a majority of the other Members determine causes or caused,
or is reasonably like to cause, material damage to the reputation of the
Company, Dow Xxxxx or the Special Committee.
(g) The
individuals set forth on Schedule A shall be the initial Members of the Special
Committee. Each of these individuals shall be a Member of the class
of the Special Committee indicated for the individual on Schedule
A. In the event that any of the individuals
3
set forth on Schedule A shall be unable to serve as a Member of the Special Committee upon the Closing Date (as defined in the Merger Agreement), each such individual will be replaced with an individual designated by Dow Xxxxx, subject to the approval of the Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, and which approval shall be deemed to be granted if no written objection to the appointment is received by Dow Xxxxx within ten (10) business days following the Company’s receipt of notice thereof. |
(h) The
individual designated on Schedule A shall be the initial chairman of the
Special
Committee (“Chairman”). In the event that at any time there is no
Chairman, the Special Committee shall elect a successor Chairman from among
its
Members to serve for a period determined by the Special
Committee. The Chairman may be removed as Chairman by the Special
Committee at any time. The Chairman’s responsibilities shall
include:
(i) setting
the agenda for all Special Committee meetings;
(ii) presiding
at all meetings of the Special Committee;
(iii) overseeing
the execution of the Special Committee decisions and certifying reports and
other documents issued by the Special Committee; and
(iv) other
powers and duties, consistent with this Agreement and his or her position
as
Chairman as may be prescribed from time to time by the Special
Committee.
1.3 Meetings
and Actions of the Special Committee.
(a) Regular
meetings of the Special Committee shall be held at least quarterly at a location
in New York City, New York, at such time and place as shall be set forth
in the
notice of meeting. The objective will be to hold the meetings within
two weeks of the beginning of each calendar quarter. Regular meetings
of the Special Committee may be called by the Chairman or by any three Members
(or, if the Special Committee shall at any time consist of fewer than three
(3)
Members, all Members) on no less than forty-eight (48) hours’ notice to each
Member (or upon shorter notice as may be approved by the Special Committee),
either personally, by mail, by facsimile, by electronic transmission, by
telegram, telephone or in such other manner as may be approved by the Special
Committee.
(b) Special
meetings of the Special Committee may be called at any time by the Company,
the
Chairman of the Special Committee or by any three Members (or, if the Special
Committee shall at any time consist of fewer than three (3) Members, all
Members) on no less than twenty-four (24) hours’ notice to each Member (or upon
shorter notice as may be approved by the Special Committee), either personally
or by mail, by facsimile, by electronic transmission, by telegram, telephone
or
in such other manner as may be approved by the Special Committee. The
person or persons authorized to call special meetings may fix the place and
time
of the meetings.
(c) Any
Member may waive notice of a meeting as to himself or
herself. Attendance of a Member at a meeting shall constitute a
waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the Member attends a meeting
for
the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the
4
meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting was not properly called or convened. A meeting may be held at any time without notice if all Members are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in accordance herewith. |
(d) At
all meetings of the Special Committee the presence of at least a majority
of the
Members then in office shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a
quorum
for the transaction of business. Each Member shall have one (1) vote
in respect of any vote on any decision of the Special
Committee. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this
Agreement, all decisions to be made or actions to be taken by the Special
Committee shall require the approval of a majority of all Members then in
office. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the
Special Committee, the Members present may adjourn the meeting from time
to
time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum
shall be present.
(e) All
Members shall have the right to attend and participate directly in all Special
Committee meetings. A Member may attend a meeting by telephone or
other communications equipment. Participation in a meeting by
telephone or other communications equipment shall constitute presence in
person
at that meeting.
(f) The
minutes of each meeting will be taken by a designated Member of the Special
Committee or another individual designated by the Chairman or the Special
Committee, who shall serve as secretary (“Secretary”) of the
meeting. The minutes shall indicate the date and location of the
meeting, the mode of convocation, the proposed agenda, the Members (and any
others invited) present, the presence of a quorum, the documents and reports
submitted for review, a summary of the meeting, the text of any resolutions
submitted for review and approval, and the results of each vote, unless
otherwise determined by the Special Committee. The minutes shall be
signed by the Chairman and Secretary or as otherwise determined by the Special
Committee. If a quorum is not present, the meeting cannot proceed and
minutes to this effect shall be prepared, unless otherwise determined by
the
Special Committee.
(g) Each
meeting of the Special Committee shall be presided over by the Chairman or,
in
his/her absence, by another Member elected from among the Members
present.
(h) Any
action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Special Committee
may be taken without a meeting if a majority of all Members (or such higher
percentage as provided in this Agreement) consent in writing. Any
action approved by written consent shall be filed with the minutes of the
proceedings of the Special Committee.
(i) The
Chairman may from time to time invite others to attend or participate in
certain
portions of Special Committee meetings whose participation is deemed useful
to
issues under consideration by the Special Committee; provided, these individuals
may participate only in the relevant portions of the meetings of the Special
Committee and shall not be present while the Special Committee members
vote.
(j) The
Company shall have the right to appear before and be heard by the Special
Committee upon advance written request of the Company.
(k) Any
actions, decisions or other determinations or reports of the Special Committee
may be made public by the Special Committee, if it so determines, including,
if
5
requested by the Special Committee, on the editorial pages of all print, electronic and other editions of The Wall Street Journal, subject to the approval of the editorial page editor or, if for any reason such approval is not granted with respect to any such edition of The Wall Street Journal, in a prominent location in such edition of The Wall Street Journal). |
1.4 Roles
and Responsibilities of the Special Committee.
(a) The
Company and Dow Xxxxx agree that the Special Committee shall have rights
of
approval over each of the Special Committee Matters (as defined
below). Any decision made by the Special Committee with respect to
any of the Special Committee Matters or any other matter on which the Special
Committee is entitled to make a decision or determination pursuant to this
Agreement shall be final and binding.
(b) For
purposes of this Agreement, the “Editors” shall mean each of (i) the managing
editor of The Wall Street Journal, (ii) the editorial page editor of
The Wall Street Journal, and (iii) unless he or she reports to the
managing editor of The Wall Street Journal, the managing editor of Dow
Xxxxx Newswires. References to “The Wall Street Journal Publications”
shall be deemed to include (x) the print, online, video and other publications,
within and outside the U.S., of The Wall Street Journal or xxx.xxx or
any successors to any of the foregoing, and (y) any other print, online,
video
or other form of distribution or publication, within and outside the U.S.,
under
The Wall Street Journal, xxx.xxx or any derivative brand names, in the
case of this clause (y), that (A) are under the control or direction of the
managing editor of The Wall Street Journal, the editorial page editor
of The Wall Street Journal or the publisher of The Wall Street
Journal or (B) use journalists or editors, or content written or produced
by, or otherwise involving, journalists or editors, who, directly or indirectly,
report to, or are under the supervision of, the managing editor of The Wall
Street Journal, the editorial page editor of The Wall Street
Journal or the publisher of The Wall Street Journal, but, in the
case of this clause (B), only to the extent of such use. References
to “Dow Xxxxx Newswires Publications” shall be deemed to include print, wire
services online, video and any and all other forms of distribution and
publication (within and outside the U.S.) under the “Dow Xxxxx Newswires” and
derivative brand names and any successor to any of the foregoing, in each
case
that (A) are under the control or direction of the managing editor of Dow
Xxxxx
Newswires or (B) use journalists or editors, or content written or produced
by,
or otherwise involving, journalists or editors, who, directly or indirectly,
report to, or are under the supervision of, the managing editor of Dow Xxxxx
Newswires, but, in the case of this clause (B), only to the extent of such
use.
(c) For
purposes of this Agreement, “Special Committee Matters” shall mean the
following:
(i) Appointment
and removal of each of the Editors (including any material changes in the
terms
and conditions of employment of each such Editor that could give rise to
constructive termination, such as a material reduction in compensation,
relocation of principal place of employment, material change in duties or
responsibilities and the like); and
6
(ii) Changes
to the authority, reporting relationship and consultation rights (as outlined
in
subparagraphs (A) through (F) below) of any of the Editors;
(A) The
authority of each of the Editors will include:
(1) the
power to hire and remove subordinates (including any material changes in
the
terms and conditions of employment of any such subordinate that could give
rise
to constructive termination, such as a material reduction in compensation,
relocation of principal place of employment, material change in duties,
responsibilities or position and the like) within their respective publications
and operations, in each case consistent with departmental budgets set by
the
Company or Dow Xxxxx management following discussion with the relevant Editor;
the decisions of the Company or Dow Xxxxx on departmental budgets will be
final,
and
(2) control
over spending and allocation of resources within departmental budgets set
by the
Company or Dow Xxxxx management following discussion with the relevant Editor;
the decisions of the Company or Dow Xxxxx on departmental budgets will be
final,
(B) in
the case of the managing editor of The Wall Street Journal, and, so
long as he or she is an Editor, the managing editor of Dow Xxxxx Newswires
(or
any successor of the foregoing), authority over:
(1) all
news decisions with respect to The Wall Street Journal Publications and Dow
Xxxxx Newswires Publications, as applicable (including decisions on subjects
of
news coverage, length, placement and accompanying art or other media),
and
(2) use
of staff of The Wall Street Journal Publications and Dow Xxxxx Newswires
Publications, as applicable, by advertisers or other businesses, publications
or
services;
(C) the
managing editor of The Wall Street Journal shall continue to report to
the publisher of The Wall Street Journal,
(D) the
managing editor of The Wall Street Journal shall be consulted prior to
the use of The Wall Street Journal or Dow Xxxxx brand names by the
Company, its Affiliates or any other party to provide the managing editor
the
opportunity to raise any objections to and suggestions concerning the proposed
use of the brand; provided that the decisions of the Company on
branding matters will be final;
(E) in
the case of The Wall Street Journal editorial page editor:
(1) authority
to choose the editorial board members, the opinion columnists, the op-ed
section
editor and the editors of the book review, the Leisure & Arts section,
XxxxxxxXxxxxxx.xxx and the Far Eastern Economic
7
Review of The Wall Street Journal Publications and the use of the staff of any of the foregoing by advertisers or other businesses, publications or services; |
(2) final
determination over the positions taken by the editorial pages of The Wall
Street
Journal Publications; and
(3) authority
over the selection of op-ed pieces for The Wall Street Journal Publications;
and
(F) The
Wall Street Journal editorial page editor shall continue to report
to The Wall Street Journal publisher.
1.5 Arbitrating
and Resolving Disputes.
Each
Editor shall have the right to appeal disputes with the Company, Dow Xxxxx
or
their respective Affiliates concerning (i) the Special Committee Matters,
and
(ii) the matters set forth in Sections 2.1(e) and 2.1(f) (but only to the
extent
any such dispute relates to Dow Xxxxx, any of its subsidiaries, a Dow Xxxxx
Publication (as defined in Section 2.1(f)) or to journalists or journalism
of
Dow Xxxxx or its subsidiaries or a Dow Xxxxx Publication), to the Special
Committee for resolution, and the Special Committee shall seek to resolve
such
disputes in a prompt manner. All decisions and determinations made by the
Special Committee with respect to any such dispute shall be final and
binding.
1.6 No
Modification.
(a) The
authority of the Special Committee shall be limited to the approval rights,
dispute resolution and other matters set forth in this Agreement. The
Special Committee shall have no separate role in managing the business of
Dow
Xxxxx. Any changes to the Special Committee Matters or the powers,
responsibilities and authority of the Special Committee as set forth in this
Agreement shall require the approval of at least eighty percent (80%) the
Members of the Special Committee then in office and the Company.
ARTICLE
II
THE
COMPANY
2.1 Representations,
Warranties and Agreements of the Company and Dow
Xxxxx.
The
Company and Dow Xxxxx, jointly and severally, hereby acknowledge, represent
and
warrant to, and agree with, the Special Committee as follows:
(a) This
Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by
each
of the Company and Dow Xxxxx and constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Company and Dow Xxxxx, enforceable against such parties
in
accordance with its terms;
(b) The
Company and Dow Xxxxx agree to retain in their positions following the closing
of transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement the persons set forth
on
Schedule B (the “Covered Employees”) unless and until removed in accordance with
this Agreement;
8
(c) The
Company and Dow Xxxxx shall promptly provide the Special Committee and its
Members with adequate funding as from time to time requested by the Special
Committee Members to carry out its duties and responsibilities, including
investigations and enforcement as provided in this Agreement;
(d) The
Company shall maintain, at no expense to the beneficiaries, insurance covering
the Members that is similar in scope and quality to the directors’ and officers’
liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance maintained by the Company
for the benefit of its directors and officers;
(e) The
Company has adopted and shall maintain a set of principles aimed at ensuring
the
preservation of the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias
of
its publications and newsgathering services and the Dow Xxxxx
Publications (as defined below). These principles will ensure that in
all publications and news gathering services of the Company and the Dow Xxxxx
Publications:
(i) facts
are accurate and fairly presented;
(ii) analyses
represent the publications’ best independent judgments rather than their
preferences, or those of their owner, sources, advertisers or information
providers;
(iii) opinions
represent only the applicable publication’s own editorial philosophies centered
around the core principle of “free people and free
markets”;
(iv) there
are no hidden agendas in any journalistic undertakings; and
(v) accuracy
and fairness extends to coverage of any real or perceived business interests
of
the Company or its Affiliates; and
(f) The
Company’s principles set forth in Section 2.1(e) shall apply, and the Dow Xxxxx
Code of Conduct relating to appropriate professional conduct, as amended
January
21, 2004 (the “Code of Conduct”), shall continue to apply, following the closing
of the merger contemplated by the Merger Agreement, to Dow Xxxxx, its
subsidiaries, The Wall Street Journal, xxx.xxx, Dow Xxxxx Newswires and
any other publications or services, whether print, online, video or otherwise
and whether within or outside the U.S. (including any successors thereto
or any
derivatives therefrom) that are publications or services of Dow Xxxxx or
any of
its subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement or use the Dow Xxxxx brand
name or any brand name of any of the foregoing publications or services,
whether
print, online, video or otherwise and whether within or outside the U.S.
(collectively, “Dow Xxxxx Publications”) and to all journalists and journalism
of Dow Xxxxx and its subsidiaries or the Dow Xxxxx Publications. The
Special Committee shall aid the preservation and promotion of the Company’s
principles set forth in Section 2.1(e) and the Code of Conduct.
(g) The
foregoing representations, warranties and agreements shall survive the date
of
this Agreement.
9
ARTICLE
III
MEMBERS
3.1 Powers
of Execution.
(a) All
agreements and other instruments and any reports or statements issued by
the
Special Committee shall be signed on behalf of the Special Committee by the
Chairman or by those other person or persons as the Special Committee may
from
time to time designate.
3.2 Compensation;
Expenses; Support of the Members.
(a) The
Company shall pay each Member reasonable compensation for his or her services
as
a Member of the Special Committee. The initial compensation payable
to each Member shall be $100,000 per year, one-fourth of which shall be payable
quarterly. The foregoing compensation amounts may be reasonably
adjusted by the Special Committee, subject to the approval of the Company
(not
to be unreasonably withheld or delayed). In addition, the Company
shall reimburse each Member for reasonable out of pocket, documented travel,
accommodation and other expenses incurred by any Member attending any meeting
of
the Special Committee or otherwise discharging his or her duties
hereunder.
3.3 Performance
of Duties; Access to Information and Advisors.
(a) In
fulfilling its responsibilities, the Special Committee shall have full access
to
all books, records, facilities and personnel of the Company, Dow Xxxxx and
their
respective Affiliates as the Special Committee may reasonably request
to fulfill its duties. The Special Committee and its Members shall
have the right to liaise with the office of the managing editor of The Wall
Street Journal to obtain, and the office of the managing editor of The
Wall Street Journal shall take all action that is reasonably necessary or
appropriate to provide, such access.
(b) The
Special Committee (including each of its Members, any individual designated
as
Secretary in accordance with Section 1.3(f) and any other permitted designee)
shall have the right to rely on the office of the managing editor of The
Wall Street Journal to obtain administrative support, including in
connection with travel, accommodations, meeting logistics, expense reimbursement
and other similar administrative services; provided that the Special Committee
may, in its sole discretion, elect to make other arrangements available to
the
Members for support in carrying out the Special Committee’s functions under this
Agreement either in lieu of or in addition to the foregoing.
(c) In
performing his or her duties, each of the Members will be entitled to rely
in
good faith on the provisions of this Agreement and on information, opinions,
reports, or statements, of the following other persons or groups: (i) one
or
more officers or employees of the Company or its subsidiaries; (ii) any
attorney, independent accountant, or other person employed or engaged by
the
Company, Dow Xxxxx or their respective Affiliates; or (iii) any other person
who
has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Special Committee,
Company, Dow Xxxxx or their respective Affiliates, in each case as to matters
that such relying Member reasonably believes to be within such person’s
professional or expert competence.
10
(d) The
Special Committee shall have the authority to retain legal, accounting and
other
advisors and investigators as the Special Committee determines, in its good
faith judgment, to be necessary or appropriate in connection with performing
its
duties and responsibilities, or exercising its rights, as applicable, under
Sections 1.2(c), 1.2(d), 1.2(f), 1.4(c)(i), 1.5 and 4.8 of this Agreement,
and
the Company shall be responsible for paying the reasonable fees and expenses
of
any such persons. Each of the Members will be entitled to rely in
good faith on any person or group so retained as to matters that such relying
Member reasonably believes to be within such person’s professional or expert
competence.
3.4 Liability;
Indemnification of Members.
(a) No
Member will be personally liable under any judgment of a court, or in any
other
manner, for any debt, obligation, or liability of the Company, Dow Xxxxx
or any
of their respective Affiliates, whether that liability or obligation arises
in
contract, tort, or otherwise, by reason of being a Member.
(b) The
Members will not be liable, responsible or accountable for damages or otherwise
to the Company, Dow Xxxxx, their respective Affiliates or their respective
officers, directors, employees, stockholders or to the other
Members. Each Member is hereby indemnified and held harmless by the
Company and Dow Xxxxx from and against all claims, liabilities, and expenses
whatsoever (including advancement of reasonable attorneys’ fees and other
expenses) arising out of or based upon the fact that such Member is or was
a
Member of the Special Committee, or is or was serving or has agreed to serve
at
the request of the Company in any other capacity, or in connection with any
decision made by the Special Committee, except, in each case, to the extent
of
any such Member’s willful misconduct as determined by a final, nonappealable
order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
ARTICLE
IV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
4.1 Notices.
All
notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement
shall be in writing (and also made orally if so required pursuant to any
Section
of the Agreement) and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, mailed
by
registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) or delivered by express
or overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) to the parties or sent
by
telecopy (providing confirmation of transmission) at the following addresses
or
telecopy numbers:
If
to the
Company, to:
News
Corporation
0000
Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Fax: 000-000-0000
Attention:
General Counsel
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11
with
copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
If
to Dow
Xxxxx, to:
Dow
Xxxxx & Co., Inc.
1
World Financial Center
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Attention:
General Counsel
|
with
copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
If
to the
Special Committee, to:
[NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[ADDRESS]
Fax:
Attention:
|
with
copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
If
to the
Members of Special Committee, to the addresses for such Members provided
by the
Members to the Company (which shall be modified from time to time to reflect
changes to the composition of the Special Committee);
or
to any
other persons or addresses as may be designated in writing by the person
to
receive this notice as provided above. Any notice, request,
instruction or other document given as provided above shall be deemed given
to
the receiving party upon actual receipt, if delivered personally; on the
next
business day after deposit with an internationally recognized overnight courier,
if sent by such a courier; three (3) business days after deposit in the
mail, if sent by registered or certified mail; or upon confirmation of
successful transmission if sent by facsimile. The foregoing notice
provisions shall not apply to notices to the Members of meetings of the Special Committee,
which shall be governed by Section 1.3 above.
4.2 Governing
Law.
All
issues and questions concerning the application, construction, validity,
interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement and the Schedules to this
Agreement will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws
of the
State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict
of law
rules or provisions (whether of the State of New York or any
12
other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York. |
4.3 Interpretation;
Headings and Sections.
(a) Defined
terms used in this Agreement in the singular will include the plural and
vice
versa. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are
used in this Agreement, they are deemed to be followed by the words “without
limitation.” Where the context so indicates, the masculine will
include the feminine, the neuter will include the masculine and
feminine.
(b) The
headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and are in no
way
intended to describe, interpret, define, or limit the scope, extent or intent
of
this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement. Unless the context
requires otherwise, all references in this Agreement to Sections, Articles,
or
Schedules will be deemed to mean and refer to Sections, Articles, Schedules
of
or to this Agreement.
4.4 Amendment
and Waiver.
No
modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of the this Agreement
will be
effective against any party unless such modification, amendment or waiver
is
approved in writing by, in the case of an amendment, each party to this
Agreement or, in the case of a waiver, by each party against whom the waiver
is
to be effective. No amendment or waiver shall be effective against
the Special Committee unless it has been approved in writing by at least
eighty
percent (80%) of the Members of the Special Committee then in office and
the
Company. The failure of any party to enforce any of the provisions of
this Agreement will in no way be construed as a waiver of these provisions
and
will not affect the right of such party thereafter to enforce each and every
provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms.
4.5 Assignment;
Third Party Beneficiaries.
(a) Neither
this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this
Agreement shall be assigned or delegated, in whole or in part, by operation
of
law or otherwise by any of the parties without the prior written consent
of the
other parties. Any purported assignment in violation of this
Agreement will be void ab initio. This Agreement will be binding
upon, inure to the benefit of, any corporate or other successor or assignee
of
the Company or Dow Xxxxx and any person or entity, including any Affiliate
of
the Company or Dow Xxxxx, that may acquire, directly or indirectly, by merger,
consolidation, purchase, transfer or otherwise, in whole or in part, The
Wall Street Journal, Dow Xxxxx Newswires or any other Dow Xxxxx
Publication. The Company and Dow Xxxxx shall require, as a condition
to any such succession, assignment or acquisition, that any such successor,
assignee or acquirer expressly agree (pursuant to an agreement in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Special Committee and its
counsel) to assume, perform and be bound by this Agreement in the same manner
and to the same extent as the Company and Dow Xxxxx.
(b) The
Company and Dow Xxxxx agree and acknowledge that this Agreement is intended
for
the irrevocable benefit of, and to grant rights to, the Special Committee
and
its Members, Dow Xxxxx and the Company. This Agreement is not
intended to and shall not confer
13
any rights or remedies hereunder to any person or entity, other than the Special Committee and its Members, the Company and Dow Xxxxx. |
4.6 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which will be
deemed
to be an original and will be binding upon the other parties who execute
the
same, but all of such counterparts will constitute the same
agreement.
4.7 Severability.
Whenever
possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner
as
to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this
Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such
provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or
invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this Agreement.
4.8 Remedies.
The
Special Committee will be entitled to enforce its rights and the terms of,
and
any decisions or determinations made under, this Agreement against the Company
or Dow Xxxxx, as the case may be. Each of the Company and Dow Xxxxx
will be entitled to enforce its rights and the terms of this Agreement against
the Special Committee, but shall in no event be entitled to recover damages
from
the Special Committee or its Members. The Special Committee will be entitled
to
recover actual damages and actual, documented costs (including reasonable
attorney’s fees) caused by any breach by the Company or Dow Xxxxx of any
provision, or any decision or determination made by the Special
Committee under this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing
in its
favor. The parties agree and acknowledge that money damages will not
be an adequate remedy for any breach by any party of the provisions of, or
any
decision or determination made under, this Agreement and that any party may
in
its sole discretion apply to any court of law or equity of competent
jurisdiction (without posting any bond or deposit) for specific performance
and/or other injunctive relief in order to enforce or prevent any violations
by
any party of the provisions of this Agreement, or any decision or determination
made under this Agreement.
4.9 No
Strict Construction.
The
parties to this Agreement have participated jointly in the negotiation and
drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of
intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted
jointly by the parties to this Agreement, and no presumption or burden of
proof
will arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship
of any
of the provisions of this Agreement.
4.10 Entire
Agreement.
Except
as
otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, this Agreement embodies
the
complete agreement and understanding among the parties to this Agreement
with
respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes and preempts
any
prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties,
written or oral, that may have related to
14
the subject matter of this Agreement in any way. This Agreement will be deemed effective on the date of this Agreement upon the execution of this Agreement. |
4.11 Submission
to Jurisdiction.
ANY
AND
ALL SUITS, LEGAL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT WILL
BE
BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT
COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT
HEREBY SUBMITS TO AND ACCEPTS THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS FOR
THE
PURPOSE OF SUCH SUITS, LEGAL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS. IN ANY SUCH
SUIT, LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING, EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT WAIVES PERSONAL
SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS, COMPLAINT OR OTHER PROCESS AND AGREES THAT SERVICE
THEREOF MAY BE MADE BY ANY MEANS PROVIDED IN SECTION 4.1. TO THE
FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE
OR
ANY SUCH SUIT, LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT AND HEREBY FURTHER
WAIVES ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUIT, LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY
SUCH
COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.
4.12 Waiver
of Jury Trial.
EACH
PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY
LAW,
ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION, OR CAUSE OF ACTION
(A)
ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR (B) IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED
OR
INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT
OR
ANY OF THE MATTERS RELATED HERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR
HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY, OR
OTHERWISE. EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS
THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION, OR CAUSE OF ACTION WILL BE DECIDED BY
COURT
TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY AND THAT THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL
COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE
OF
THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY
JURY
* * * * *
15
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date
first written above.
NEWS
CORPORATION
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By:
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Name: | |||
Title: | |||
DOW
XXXXX
& COMPANY, INC.
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By:
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Name: | |||
Title: | |||
THE
SPECIAL
COMMITTEE
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By:
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Name: | |||
Title: Member | |||