EXHIBIT 23

                        Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No.
33-11021 on Form S-3 dated December 22, 1986, in Registration Statement No.
33-28010 on Form S-3 dated April 7, 1989, in Registration Statement No. 33-31747
on Form S-8 dated October 30, 1989, in Registration Statement No. 33-69206 on
Form S-8 dated May 18, 1993, in Registration Statement No.333-37603 on Form S-3
dated October 9, 1997, in Registration Statement No. 333-68171 on Form S-8 dated
December 1, 1998, in the Registration Statement No. 333-79025 on Form S-8 dated
March 17, 2000, in the Registration Statement No. 33-80163 on Form S-8 dated
June 7, 1999 of Knight-Ridder, Inc. and in the related Prospectuses, of our
report dated January 24, 2001, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements and schedule of Knight-Ridder, Inc. included in this Annual Report
(Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2000.

                                              /s/ Ernst & Young LLP


San Jose, California
March 22, 2001