Exhibit 23


                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No.
333-68171 on Form S-8 dated December 1, 1998, in the Registration Statement No.
333-80163 on Form S-8 dated June 8, 1999, in Registration Statement No.
333-64286 on Form S-3 dated June 29, 2001 of Knight-Ridder, Inc. and in the
related Prospectuses, of our report dated January 18, 2002, 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 30, 2001.


                                             /s/ Ernst & Young LLP


San Jose, California
March 25, 2002