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EXHIBIT 5.1
August 4, 2000
A. H. Belo Corporation
400 South Record Street
Dallas, Texas 75202
Re: Registration of 20,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $1.67,
pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-8
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for A. H. Belo Corporation, a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), pursuant to a Registration Statement on
Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement"), of 20,000,000 shares of Series A Common
Stock, par value $1.67 per share, and Series B Common Stock, par value $1.67 per
share, of the Company (the "Common Stock") to be offered to directors and
employees of the Company (including its direct or indirect subsidiaries)
pursuant to the Belo 2000 Executive Compensation Plan (the "Plan").
Based upon our examination of such papers and documents as we have deemed
relevant or necessary in rendering this opinion, and based on our review of the
Delaware General Corporation Law, we hereby advise you that we are of the
opinion that assuming, with respect to shares of Common Stock issued after the
date hereof, (i) the receipt of proper consideration for the issuance thereof in
excess of the par value thereof, (ii) the availability of a sufficient number of
shares of Common Stock authorized by the Company's Certificate of Incorporation
then in effect, (iii) compliance with the terms of any agreement entered into in
connection with any options or shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan and
(iv) no change occurs in the applicable law or the pertinent facts, shares of
Common Stock purchasable under the Plan will be legally issued, fully paid and
non-assessable shares of Common Stock.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration
Statement filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By
so consenting, we do not thereby admit that our firm's consent is required by
Section 7 of the Securities Act.
Very truly yours,
LOCKE LIDDELL & SAPP LLP
By: /s/ VAN M. JOLAS
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Van M. Jolas
