Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 24, 2012	Mar. 25, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011	Sep. 25, 2011	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible and other assets	$ 171,094,000								$ 1,388,000	$ 171,094,000	$ 1,388,000	$ 204,289,000
Reorganization costs					(250,000)		36,626,000	1,241,000	720,000	0	37,765,000	0
Curtailment gains										0	0	16,137,000
Revenues	162,462,000	167,019,000	160,603,000	184,656,000	179,445,000	171,745,000	164,632,000	191,099,000		674,740,000	706,921,000	723,221,000
Loss from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(88,536,000)	1,968,000	(3,562,000)	13,652,000	(662,000)	(942,000)	(26,257,000)	14,480,000		(76,478,000)	(13,381,000)	(145,156,000)
Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	1,000	0	(2,293,000)	1,046,000	(2,365,000)	(412,000)	(285,000)	144,000		(1,246,000)	(2,918,000)	(1,525,000)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(88,535,000)	1,968,000	(5,855,000)	14,698,000	(3,027,000)	(1,354,000)	(26,542,000)	14,624,000		(77,724,000)	(16,299,000)	(146,681,000)
Loss attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	$ (88,697,000)	$ 1,795,000	$ (5,995,000)	$ 14,580,000	$ (3,154,000)	$ (1,473,000)	$ (26,625,000)	$ 14,554,000		$ (78,317,000)	$ (16,698,000)	$ (146,868,000)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share	$ (1.71)	$ 0.03	$ (0.07)	$ 0.26	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.53)	$ 0.32		$ (1.49)	$ (0.28)	$ (3.24)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.04)	$ 0.02	$ (0.05)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.00		$ (0.02)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.03)
Basic	$ (1.71)	$ 0.03	$ (0.12)	$ 0.28	$ (0.06)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.54)	$ 0.32		$ (1.51)	$ (0.34)	$ (3.27)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share	$ (1.71)	$ 0.03	$ (0.07)	$ 0.26	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.53)	$ 0.32		$ (1.49)	$ (0.28)	$ (3.24)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.04)	$ 0.02	$ (0.05)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.00		$ (0.02)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.03)
Diluted	$ (1.71)	$ 0.03	$ (0.1157425284)	$ 0.28	$ (0.06)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.54)	$ 0.32		$ (1.51)	$ (0.34)	$ (3.27)