Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Sep. 25, 2011
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 25, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	GCI
Entity Registrant Name	GANNETT CO INC /DE/
Entity Central Index Key	0000039899
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-25
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	238,288,133

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