Exhibit 5





                        December 12, 1995





Gannett Co., Inc.
1100 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia  22234

Dear Sirs:

      Gannett Co., Inc. (the "Company") is filing on or about
this date with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registra-
tion Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") in
connection with the registration of $25,000,000 aggregate amount
of interests ("Interests") in the Gannett Co., Inc. 1987 Deferred
Compensation Plan (the "Plan") which are offered to eligible
employees of the Company 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) contributions thereon are credited to the accounts of
participating employees in the manner provided by the Plan, the
Interests in the Plan 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, Hargrave, Devans & Doyle LLP
                                ---------------------------------------
                                Nixon, Hargrave, Devans & Doyle LLP