EXHIBIT 5.1

                                  May 18, 2001

The McClatchy Company
2100 Q Street
Sacramento, CA 95816

     RE:  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by you
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about May 18, 2001 (as such
may thereafter be amended or supplemented the "Registration Statement") in
connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
of an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of your Class A Common Stock (the "Shares")
that are to be issued pursuant to The McClatchy Company ("McClatchy") Amended
and Restated 1994 Stock Option Plan and 2001 Director Option Plan (collectively
the "Plans").  As your legal counsel, we have examined the proceedings taken and
are familiar with the proceedings proposed to be taken by you in connection with
the sale and issuance of the Shares under the Plans and pursuant to the
agreements related thereto.

     It is our opinion that, when issued and sold in the manner referred to in
the Plans and pursuant to the agreements that accompany the Plans, the Shares
will be legally and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement, including any prospectus constituting a part thereof,
and any amendments thereto.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                    Professional Corporation


                                    /s/ WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI