Segment reporting - Reconciliation of EBITDA to Operating Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to Gannett	$ 14,687	$ (31,260)	$ (112,514)	$ (548,305)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	2,984	3,098	11,567	(22,200)
Interest expense	34,603	58,063	109,370	173,890
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	3,761	476	25,996	1,650
Non-operating pension income	(23,860)	(18,334)	(71,644)	(54,433)
Loss on convertible notes derivative	0	0	126,600	0
Depreciation and amortization	48,107	61,355	154,452	205,706
Integration and reorganization costs	13,619	13,417	35,467	73,978
Other operating expenses	4	1,913	11,354	10,261
Asset impairments	2,301	1,585	3,134	8,444
Goodwill and intangible impairments	0	0	0	393,446
(Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets, net	(833)	795	9,206	1,540
Share-based compensation expense	4,602	3,844	13,804	22,812
Other items	2,092	(6,972)	1,509	(1,723)
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP basis)	102,067	87,980	318,301	265,066
Gain on sale of investments	0	(7,800)	0	(7,995)
Subtotal	33,539	(20,874)	99,243	(66,981)
Tax impact of above items	7,033	25,449	28,042	61,364
Adjusted Net income (loss) attributable to Gannett (non-GAAP basis)	$ 26,506	$ (46,323)	$ 71,201	$ (128,345)
Net loss attributable to Gannett margin (percent)	1.80%	(3.80%)	(4.70%)	(21.70%)
Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP basis) (percent)	12.80%	10.80%	13.40%	10.50%