Exhibit 5




              Nixon, Hargrave, Devans & Doyle LLP


                           May 24, 1996



Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC  20549

            Re: Gannett Co., Inc. 1978 Executive
                Long-Term Incentive Plan ("Plan")
                Registration Statement on Form S-8

Dear Sir or Madam:

      We have acted on behalf of Gannett Co., Inc. ("Gannett")
in connection with its Registration Statement on Form S-8 to
register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 12,000,000
shares of Common Stock of Gannett to be sold pursuant to the
Plan.

      We have examined and are familiar with originals or
copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of
such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we
have deemed necessary or appropriate in connection with rendering
this opinion.

      Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

          The shares of the Common Stock being registered with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form S-8 as described
above will, when sold according to the terms of the Plan, be
legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common
Stock of Gannett.

      We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to
the above-mentioned Registration Statement on Form S-8 and to the
use of our name in any Prospectus used in connection with the Plan.


                               Very truly yours,

                               s/ Nixon, Hargrave, Devans & Doyle LLP