Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 24, 2012	Mar. 25, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011	Sep. 25, 2011	Jun. 26, 2011	Mar. 27, 2011	Dec. 26, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011	Sep. 26, 2010
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Reorganization costs			$ 36,626,000	$ 1,241,000					$ 37,765,000	$ 0	$ 0
Curtailment gains						3,974,000	1,991,000	10,172,000	0	16,137,000	45,012,000
Asset Impairment Charges, Net Of Tax Benefit	4,994,000				17,714,000	199,325,000
Revenues	180,343,000	172,640,000	165,461,000	192,042,000	175,815,000	180,457,000	171,562,000	199,485,000	710,486,000	727,319,000	748,444,000
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(761,000)	(1,045,000)	(26,373,000)	14,406,000	(8,009,000)	(155,067,000)	(1,106,000)	18,747,000	(13,772,000)	(145,435,000)	47,297,000
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	(2,266,000)	(309,000)	(169,000)	218,000	(724,000)	(409,000)	(343,000)	230,000	(2,527,000)	(1,246,000)	(1,119,000)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(3,027,000)	(1,354,000)	(26,542,000)	14,624,000	(8,733,000)	(155,476,000)	(1,449,000)	18,977,000	(16,299,000)	(146,681,000)	46,178,000
Loss attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	$ (3,154,000)	$ (1,473,000)	$ (26,625,000)	$ 14,554,000	$ (8,784,000)	$ (155,553,000)	$ (1,472,000)	$ 18,941,000	$ (16,698,000)	$ (146,868,000)	$ 46,105,000
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.53)	$ 0.32	$ (0.18)	$ (3.45)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.42	$ (0.29)	$ (3.25)	$ 1.06
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share	$ (0.04)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.01	$ (0.05)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.03)
Basic	$ (0.06)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.53)	$ 0.32	$ (0.20)	$ (3.46)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.42	$ (0.34)	$ (3.27)	$ 1.03
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.53)	$ 0.32	$ (0.18)	$ (3.45)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.42	$ (0.29)	$ (3.25)	$ 1.05
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share	$ (0.04)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.01	$ (0.05)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.02)
Diluted	$ (0.06)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.5356393284)	$ 0.32	$ (0.20)	$ (3.46)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.42	$ (0.34)	$ (3.27)	$ 1.03