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                                                                  August 3, 1999

American Media Operations, Inc.
600 East Coast Avenue
Lantana, Florida 33464-0002

Ladies and Gentlemen:


    We have acted as counsel to American Media Operations, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and for the entities listed on Schedule A hereto
(individually, a "Guarantor" and collectively, the "Guarantors"), in connection
with the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement")
filed by the Company and the Guarantors with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
relating to the issuance by the Company of $250,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009 (the "Exchange Securities")
and the issuance by the Guarantors of guarantees (the "Guarantees"), with
respect to the Exchange Securities. The Exchange Securities and the Guarantees
will be issued under an indenture (the "Indenture") dated as of May 7, 1999,
among the Company, the Guarantors and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee. The
Exchange Securities will be offered by the Company in exchange for $250,000,000
aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2009 (the "Securities").

    We have examined the Registration Statement and the Indenture, which has
been filed with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We
also have examined the originals, or duplicates or certified or conformed
copies, of such records, agreements, instruments and other documents and have
made such other and further
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American Media Operations, Inc.                                  August 3, 1999

investigations as we have deemed relevant and necessary in connection with the
opinions expressed herein. As to questions of fact material to this opinion, we
have relied upon certificates of public officials and of officers and
representatives of the Company and the Guarantors.

          In rendering the opinions set forth below, we have assumed the
genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to
original documents of all documents submitted to us as duplicates or certified
or conformed copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such latter
documents. We also have assumed that the Indenture is the valid and legally
binding obligation of the Trustee.

          We have assumed further that (1) American Media Marketing, Inc.,
Fairview Printing, Inc., Health Xtra, Inc., National Enquirer, Inc., SOM
Publishing, Inc. and Weekly World News, Inc. have duly authorized, executed and
delivered the Indenture and (2) execution, delivery and performance by American
Media Marketing, Inc., Fairview Printing, Inc., Health Xtra, Inc., National
Enquirer, Inc., SOM Publishing, Inc. and Weekly World News, Inc. of the
Indenture and the Guarantees do not and will not violate the laws of Florida
or any other applicable laws (excepting the laws of the State of New York and
the Federal laws of the United States).

          Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications and
limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

     1.   When the Exchange Securities have been duly executed, authenticated,
          issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the
          Indenture upon the exchange, the Exchange Securities will constitute
          valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable
          against the Company in accordance with their terms.

     2.   When (a) the Exchange Securities have been duly executed,
          authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions
          of the Indenture upon the exchange and (b) the Guarantees have been
          duly issued, the Guarantees will constitute valid and legally binding
          obligations of the Guarantors enforceable against the Guarantors in
          accordance with their terms.
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American Media Operations, Inc.       -3-                         August 3, 1999


     Our opinions set forth above are subject to the effects of (1) bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar
laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally, (2) general
equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law)
and (3) an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

     We are members of the Bar of the State of New York, and we do not express
any opinion herein concerning any law other than the law of the State of New
York, the Federal law of the United States and the Delaware General Corporation
Law.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5 to the
Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement.

                                   Very truly yours,



                                   SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT
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                                   SCHEDULE A


Guarantors

American Media Marketing, Inc.
Biocide, Inc.
Country Weekly, Inc.
Distribution Services, Inc.
Fairview Printing, Inc.
Health Xtra, Inc.
Marketing Services, Inc.
National Enquirer, Inc.
NDSI, Inc.
Retail Marketing Network, Inc.
Star Editorial, Inc.
SOM Publishing, Inc.
Weekly World News, Inc.