Retirement plans (Details Textual) (Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 24, 2012
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Retirement Plans (Textual) [Abstract]
Contribution to the Gannett Retirement Plan	$ 18	$ 76
Settlement charges recorded by the company	$ 5.4	$ 5.4

For pension plans, the amount of Increase or Decrease in the accumulated benefit obligation related to the effects of a settlement or curtailment.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (r)

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

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph r

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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.

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfSettlementsAndCurtailmentsOnAccumulatedBenefitObligation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant