Retirement plans (Details Textual) (Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Gannett Retirement Plan [Member]
Retirement Plans (Textual) [Abstract]
Contribution to the defined benefit plans	$ 50,000,000
Future estimated contributions to defined benefit plans for the current fiscal year	0
U.K. Retirement Plan [Member]
Retirement Plans (Textual) [Abstract]
Contribution to the defined benefit plans	24,500,000
Future estimated contributions to defined benefit plans for the current fiscal year	$ 12,000,000

The increase in the fair value of plan assets from contributions made by the employer.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21915506&loc=d3e1928-114920

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration