The E.W. Scripps Company (SSP) 10-K 2004 FY Annual report

E-4

Exhibit 14

Code of Ethics for CEO and Senior Financial Officers

The E. W. Scripps Company

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

for the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers

A. Introduction

This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers (the “Code”) requires that The E. W. Scripps Company’s (“Scripps”) chief executive officer, chief financial officer, controller and other senior financial officers adhere to and advocate the following principles and responsibilities governing their professional and ethical conduct.

Those who violate the standards in this Code will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment and may also be subject to civil and criminal penalties.

B. Adoption Date

The audit committee of Scripps board of directors adopted this Code on October 28, 2003.

C. Principles and Responsibilities

1. Senior Financial Officers shall act with honesty and integrity and shall avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest in their personal and professional relationships. Senior Financial Officers shall disclose to the appropriate person (as identified in Section D of this Code) any material transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to such a conflict.

2. Senior Financial Officers shall provide information that is full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable in all periodic reports and disclosures to the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission and all other constituents.

3. Senior Financial Officers shall comply with the rules and regulations of federal, state, provincial and local governments, and other appropriate private and public regulatory agencies.

4. Senior Financial Officers shall act in good faith, responsibly, with due care, competence, and diligence. They shall not misrepresent material facts or allow their independent judgments to be subordinated.

5. Senior Financial Officers shall respect the confidentiality of information acquired in the course of their work except when authorized or otherwise legally obligated to disclose. They shall not use confidential information acquired in the course of their work for personal advantage or share such information with third parties.

6. Senior Financial Officers shall proactively promote ethical behavior as a responsible partner among peers, in the work environment, and the community.

7. Senior Financial Officers shall act responsibly in their use of and control over all assets and resources.

D. Reporting of material transactions or relationships that reasonably could be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest or other violation of this Code.

Senior Financial Officers are encouraged to promptly talk to supervisors, or other appropriate personnel about observed and/or reported illegal or unethical behavior and when in doubt about the best course of action in a particular situation. Scripps prohibits retaliation against anyone who, in good faith, reports misconduct by others or who participates in an investigation of such behavior. Senior Financial Officers are expected to cooperate in internal investigations of misconduct.

Compliance steps to keep in mind:

1. Make sure you have all the facts.

2. Discuss the issue with your supervisor.

3. Seek help from Scripps resources. In the rare cases where it may not be appropriate to discuss an issue with your supervisor or where you do not feel comfortable approaching your supervisor with your question, discuss the matter locally with your general manager. If that also is not appropriate, contact Lori A. Hickok, Vice President and Controller of Scripps at 513/977-3736.

4. If for any reason you are unable to use Scripps resources, financial officers are encouraged to utilize either the web or a toll free telephone number as reporting vehicles. The Company has contracted with EthicsPoint, Inc. to offer an anonymous reporting solution for all of its employees. The telephone number is 1-888-397-4911 and the website is www.ethicspoint.com. These anonymous reporting vehicles are offered so that employees have a confidential method to report a situation that may be in violation of Scripps policies or local or federal law or regulations. Use of these vehicles can assure access to Scripps audit committee of its board of directors.

E. Compliance with the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers

Scripps chief executive officer, chief financial officer and other senior financial officers are required at least annually to review this Code. Annually, such persons are required to sign a compliance statement reflecting their conformity with this Code.

F. Waivers of the Code

Any waiver of this Code may be made only by the Scripps board of directors or a board committee and will be promptly disclosed as required by law or stock exchange rules.

COMPLIANCE STATEMENT

The E. W. Scripps Company

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

for the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers

This compliance statement does not represent an employment contract between an employee and Scripps and does not guarantee any right of employment. However, the chief executive officer and every senior financial officer is asked to complete it annually and return it to Joseph G. NeCastro, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, The E. W. Scripps Company.

1. I have received and read the The E. W. Scripps Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers.

• yes •                    no

2. I comply now and agree to comply in the future with The E. W. Scripps Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers.

• yes •                    no

My responses to this compliance statement are true and complete. In the event that a change occurs which would alter a response, I will promptly so advise the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer or the Vice President and Controller.

Employee signature	Date
Employee name (please print)	Location