Basis of Presentation Schedule of Less than 100% Subsidiaries (Details)	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Equity Method Investee- TNI [Member]
Schedule Of Less Than 100% Owned Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Less Than 100% Owned Subsidiaries, Percentage Owned	50.00%
Equity Method Investee- MNI [Member]
Schedule Of Less Than 100% Owned Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Less Than 100% Owned Subsidiaries, Percentage Owned	50.00%
INN Partners [Member]
Schedule Of Less Than 100% Owned Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Less Than 100% Owned Subsidiaries, Percentage Owned	83.00%

Less Than 100% Owned Subsidiaries, Percentage Owned- Percentage of the less than 100% owned subsidiary owned by the reporting entity. Includes both equity method investments as well as consolidated subsidiaries.

No definition available.

Name:	lee_LessThan100OwnedSubsidiariesPercentageOwned
Namespace Prefix:	lee_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration