EXHIBIT 5
401 Ninth Street NW
9th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 585-8000
Fax: (202) 585-8080
Direct Dial: (202) 585-8389
October 19, 2000
Gannett Co., Inc.
1100 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22234
Dear Sirs:
Gannett Co., Inc. (the "Company") is filing on or about this date with the
Securities and Exchange commission a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the
"Registration Statement") in connection with the registration of 40,000 shares
of common stock, par value $1 ("Shares") to be issued in connection with the
Central Newspapers, Inc. Savings Plus Plan (the "Plan") and which are offered to
eligible employees of Central Newspapers, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
As counsel to the Company, we have examined originals or copies, certified or
otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records
and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose
of this opinion.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that when (i) the Registration
Statement and any amendments thereto filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission have become effective, (ii) the applicable provisions of such state
securities laws as may be applicable have been complied with, and (iii) payment
of the purchase price is made by participating employees in the manner provided
by the Plan, the Shares will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. We also consent to the use of our name under Item 5,
"Interests of Named Experts and Counsel," in the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Nixon Peabody LLP
53624
