Exhibit 10 (j)

                             THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE
               KNIGHT-RIDDER, INC. ANNUAL INCENTIVE DEFERRAL PLAN


            This Third Amendment to the Knight-Ridder, Inc. Annual Incentive
Deferral Plan (the "Plan") is adopted by Knight-Ridder, Inc. (the "Employer")
effective as provided herein.

            WHEREAS, the Employer adopted the Plan effective November 1, 1996 as
an unfunded deferred compensation plan maintained primarily to provide deferred
compensation for eligible Participants, all of whom are members of a select
group of management or highly compensated employees of the Employer, and adopted
two amendments thereto; and

            WHEREAS, the Plan provides that only employees who are eligible to
participate in the Knight Ridder Annual Incentive Plan (MBO) may participate;
and

            WHEREAS, the Employer desires to permit participation by designated
employees in addition to those who are eligible to participate in the Annual
Incentive (MBO) Plan ; and

            WHEREAS, Section 13 of the Plan permits amendment of the Plan by the
Employer.

            NOW, THEREFORE, Section 2(s) of the Plan is amended to read as
follows, effective October 1, 2001:

            (s) "Participant" means each Employee who (i) is eligible to
            participate in the Knight Ridder Annual Incentive (MBO) Plan or (ii)
            is designated by the Company from time to time, in its sole
            discretion, as eligible to participate and is a member of a select
            group of management or highly compensated Employees.

            KNIGHT-RIDDER, INC. has caused this Third Amendment to the
Knight-Ridder, Inc. Annual Incentive Deferral Plan, to be executed effective as
provided above.


                                        KNIGHT-RIDDER, INC.


                                        By:_____________________________________
                                        Its:____________________________________
                                        Date: __________________________________