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<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July&nbsp;22, 2003</B>
</FONT>

<P align="right"><FONT size="2">Registration
No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;________</FONT>

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<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000" style="margin-top: -10px">








<P align="center"><FONT size="4"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</FONT>

<DIV align="center"><FONT size="3"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</FONT></DIV>
<P align="center"><HR align="center" size="1" width="30%" noshade>

<DIV align="center"><FONT size="5"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</FONT></DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</FONT>

<P align="center"><HR align="center" size="1" width="30%" noshade>

<DIV align="center"><FONT size="6"><B>GANNETT CO., INC.</B>
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
</FONT></DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Delaware</B><BR>
(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>16-0442930</B><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
</FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="65%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><B>7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA</B><BR>
(Address of registrant&#146;s principal executive offices)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
<B>22107</B><BR>
(Zip Code)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><HR align="center" size="1" width="30%" noshade>

<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Gannett Co., Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan</B>
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2">(Full title of the Plan)
</FONT></DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Thomas L. Chapple, Esq.<BR>
Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel<BR>
Gannett Co., Inc.<BR>
7950 Jones Branch Drive<BR>
McLean, VA 22107</B><BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>(703)&nbsp;854-6000</B><BR>
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">Copy to:<BR>
<B>James E. Showen, Esq.<BR>
Hogan &#038; Hartson L.L.P.<BR>
555 Thirteenth Street, N.W.<BR>
Washington, D.C. 20004-1109<BR>
(202)&nbsp;637-5600</B>
</FONT>

<P align="center"><HR align="center" size="1" width="30%" noshade>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
</FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="85%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Amount</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed maximum</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed maximum</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Amount of</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title of securities</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>to be</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>offering price</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>aggregate offering</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>registration</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>to be registered</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Registered</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>per share</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>price</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>fee</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share</FONT></DIV></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">50,000 </FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap><FONT size="2">(1)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">76.99</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap><FONT size="2">(2)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">3,849,500</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">312</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">Deferred Compensation Obligations (3)</FONT></DIV></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">70,000,000</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">100</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap><FONT size="2">%</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">70,000,000</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">5663</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(1)</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Represents shares of common stock issuable under the Gannett Co., Inc.
Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(2)</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Estimated pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457(h) and (c)&nbsp;solely for purposes of
calculating the registration fee based on the average of the high and low
sales prices of the common stock on July&nbsp;16, 2003, as reported on The New
York Stock Exchange.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(3)</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Represent unsecured obligations of Gannett Co., Inc. to pay deferred
compensation in the future in accordance with the terms of the Gannett
Co., Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>


<!-- link1 "PART I" -->
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>PART I</B>
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTU</B>S
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The documents containing the information specified in Part I will be sent
or given to employees participating in the Plan, as specified by Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1)
promulgated under the Securities Act. In accordance with the instructions to
Part I of Form&nbsp;S-8, such documents will not be filed with the Commission either
as part of this registration statement or as prospectuses or prospectus
supplements pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424 promulgated under the Securities Act. These
documents and the documents incorporated by reference pursuant to Item&nbsp;3 of
Part II of this registration statement, taken together, constitute the
prospectus as required by Section&nbsp;10(a) of the Securities Act.
</FONT>
<!-- link1 "PART II" -->
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>PART II</B>
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</FONT>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference." -->
<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We hereby incorporate by reference into this registration statement the
following documents filed with the Commission:
</FONT>
<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(1)</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="93%"><FONT size="2">Our Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year ended
December&nbsp;29, 2002, which was filed on March&nbsp;18, 2003, including
information incorporated by reference in the Form&nbsp;10-K from our
definitive proxy statement for our 2003 annual meeting of
stockholders, which was filed on the same date;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(2)</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="93%"><FONT size="2">our Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarterly period
ended March&nbsp;30, 2003, which was filed on May&nbsp;6, 2003; and</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(3)</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="93%"><FONT size="2">the description of our common stock contained in our
Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;8-B, filed under Section&nbsp;12 of the
Exchange Act, and all amendments or reports filed for the purpose of
updating such description.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition, all documents and reports subsequently filed by us pursuant
to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which
indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all
securities remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in
this registration statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of
such documents or reports. Any statement contained in a document incorporated
or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified
or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which
also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of
this registration statement.
</FONT>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities." -->
<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities</B>.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Common Stock of the Company is registered under Section&nbsp;12 of the Exchange Act.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">2</FONT>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>




<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This registration statement covers, among other things, $70,000,000 of
Deferred Compensation Obligations that are being registered under this
Registration Statement to be offered to directors of the Company and officers
and employees of the Company and employees of participating affiliates of the
Company who reside in the United States and who are designated as eligible by
the Company. The following is a summary of the Plan as it relates to the
Deferred Compensation Obligations. The Obligations are general unsecured
obligations of the Company to pay deferred compensation in the future in
accordance with the terms of the Plan from the general assets of the Company,
and rank <I>pari passu </I>with other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the
Company outstanding from time to time.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The amount of compensation deferred by each participant (&#147;Participant&#148;) in
the Plan is determined in accordance with the Plan based upon elections by each
Participant. Obligations in an amount equal to each Participant&#146;s deferral
account under the Plan (consisting of deferred salary and bonus amounts, gain
from stock incentive rights exercises, deferred shares of common stock issued
pursuant to stock option exercises and restricted stock grants, and any
appreciation or depreciation in value thereon) will be payable in accordance
with the Participant&#146;s deferral election and the terms of the Plan in a
lump-sum distribution or in installments. Hardship distributions are also
permitted. The Company may also make voluntary contributions to the Plan on
behalf of the Participants.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Plan participants may choose among a number of investment funds &#151; a
Company stock fund, a money market fund, a bond fund, three domestic equity
funds, a balanced fund, an S&#038;P 500 index fund and an international fund.
Dividends payable on the Company stock fund will be automatically reinvested in
common stock of the Company. The investment funds may be changed or others
added as determined by the Plan administrator, the Benefit Plans Committee.
However, any directors&#146; compensation payable in restricted stock deferred under
the Plan and any stock option exercise gain deferred under the Plan will be
invested in the Company stock fund and may not be reallocated to any of the
other investment funds. Amounts representing deferred restricted stock or
deferred stock option exercise gain will be paid to the Participant in the form
of Company common stock. Amounts deferred under the Plan that do not represent
deferred directors&#146; compensation payable in restricted stock or deferred stock
option exercise gain are payable in cash or kind in the Company&#146;s discretion.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The benefits payable under the Plan to an employee or director of the
Company will not revert to the Company or be subject to the Company&#146;s creditors
prior to the Company&#146;s insolvency or bankruptcy, nor, except pursuant to will
or the laws of descent and distribution, will they be subject in any way to
anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance,
charge, garnishment, execution or levy of any kind by the Participant, the
Participant&#146;s beneficiary or the creditors of either, including such liability
as may arise from the Participant&#146;s bankruptcy.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan at any time,
except that no such amendment or termination shall, without the consent of a
Participant, adversely affect such Participant&#146;s interest in the Plan, i.e.,
the Participant&#146;s benefit accrued to the effective date of the amendment or
termination. The Obligations are not convertible into any other security of
the Company except that amounts deferred under the Plan as to which the
Participant has elected the Company stock fund may be distributed at the
election of the Participant in shares of Company common stock. The right of
any Participant to receive future payments under the provisions of the Plan
shall be a contractual obligation of the Company, but shall be subject to the
claims of the creditors of the Company in the event of the Company&#146;s insolvency
or bankruptcy. Plan assets may, in the Company&#146;s discretion, be placed in a
trust but will nevertheless continue to be subject to the claims of the
Company&#146;s creditors in the event of the Company&#146;s insolvency or bankruptcy as
provided in the trust agreement. In any event, the Plan is intended to be
unfunded under Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">3</FONT>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel." -->
<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</B>.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</FONT>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers." -->
<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (&#147;DGCL&#148;) permits the
Company to indemnify any director or officer of the Company against expenses
(including attorneys&#146; fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement,
incurred in defense of any action (other than an action by or in the right of
the Company) arising by reason of the fact that he or she is or was an officer
or director of the Company if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Company and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Section&nbsp;145 also
permits the Company to indemnify any such officer or director against expenses
incurred in an action by or in the right of the Company if he or she acted in
good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the Company, except in respect of any matter
as to which such person is adjudged to be liable to the Company. This statute
requires indemnification of such officers and directors against expenses to the
extent they may be successful in defending any such action. The statute
permits purchase of liability insurance by the Company on behalf of officers
and directors, and the Company has purchased such insurance.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;17 of Article&nbsp;II of the Company&#146;s By-Laws requires indemnification
to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law of any person who is or was
a director or officer of the Company who is or was involved or threatened to be
made so involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether criminal, civil,
administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or
was serving as a director, officer or employee of the Company or any
predecessor of the Company or was serving at the request of the Company as a
director, officer or employee of any other enterprise.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a provision in the certificate of
incorporation of each corporation organized thereunder, such as the Company,
eliminating or limiting, with certain exceptions, the personal liability of a
director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach
of fiduciary duty as a director. Article&nbsp;NINTH of the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company eliminates the liability of directors to the
extent permitted by Section&nbsp;102(b)(7) of the DGCL.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The foregoing statements are subject to the detailed provisions of
Sections&nbsp;145 and 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, Section&nbsp;17 of Article&nbsp;II of such
By-Laws and Article&nbsp;NINTH of such Certificate of Incorporation, as applicable.
</FONT>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed." -->
<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed</B>.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">4</FONT>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits." -->
<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In accordance with the terms of Item&nbsp;8(a) of Form&nbsp;S-8, no opinion of
counsel as to the legality of the securities has been provided because the
shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Plan will be issued from
our treasury or purchased in the open market.
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="78%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>No.</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><FONT size="2">10.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Gannett Co., Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><FONT size="2">23.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><FONT size="2">24.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Power of Attorney (included on signature page hereto).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings." -->
<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>
</FONT>

<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(a)</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">The Registrant hereby undertakes:</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration
statement:</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To include any prospectus required by Section
10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities
offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that
which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus
filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than 20&nbsp;percent change in the
maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the &#147;Calculation of Registration
Fee&#148; table in the effective registration statement;
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><I>provided, however, </I>that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the
Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial <I>bona
fide </I>offering thereof.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">5</FONT>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">(b)&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual
report pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act (and,
where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report
pursuant to Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by
reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial <I>bona
fide </I>offering thereof.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">(c)&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to existing provisions or arrangements whereby the
Registrant may indemnify a director, officer or controlling person of the
Registrant against liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the
Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than for the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">6</FONT>
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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>
<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>The Registrant. </I>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that
it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8 and has duly caused
this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of McLean, Commonwealth of Virginia on
this 22<SUP>nd</SUP> day of July, 2003.
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left"><FONT size="2">GANNETT CO., INC.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
By:
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Thomas L. Chapple</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><HR align="left" size="1" width="80%" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Thomas L. Chapple</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Officer and General Counsel</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Douglas H. McCorkindale and Thomas L. Chapple,
and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with
power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to
this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or
their, his or her substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated
on this 22<SUP>nd</SUP> day of July, 2003:
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="75%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="36%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="59%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Signature</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><FONT size="2">/s/ Douglas H. McCorkindale<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Douglas H. McCorkindale</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and<BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"  align="center"><FONT size="2">/s/ Gracia C. Martore<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Gracia C. Martore</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial<BR>
Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting<BR>
Officer)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"  align="center"><FONT size="2">/s/ H. Jesse Arnelle<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
H. Jesse Arnelle</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"  align="center"><FONT size="2">/s/ Louis D. Boccardi<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Louis D. Boccardi</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">7</FONT>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="75%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="36%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="59%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Signature</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"  align="center"><FONT size="2">/s/ Meredith A. Brokaw<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Meredith A. Brokaw</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"  align="center"><FONT size="2">/s/ James A. Johnson<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
James A. Johnson</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"  align="center"><FONT size="2">/s/ Stephen P. Munn<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Stephen P. Munn</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"  align="center"><FONT size="2">/s/ Donna E. Shalala<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Donna E. Shalala</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"  align="center"><FONT size="2">/s/ Solomon D. Trujillo<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Solomon D. Trujillo</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"  align="center"><FONT size="2">/s/ Karen Hastie Williams<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Karen Hastie Williams</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">8</FONT>

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>The Plan</I>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly
caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of McLean, Commonwealth of
Virginia on this 22<SUP>nd</SUP> day of July, 2003
</FONT>





<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="46%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left"><FONT size="2">GANNETT CO., INC. DEFERRED<BR> COMPENSATION
PLAN</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
By:
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Thomas L. Chapple
<HR align="left" size="1" width="80%" noshade></FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Thomas L. Chapple</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">and General Counsel</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">9</FONT>
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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>
<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>
</FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="80%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>

</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>

</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>No.</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>

</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>

</TR>


<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><FONT size="2">10.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Gannett Co., Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended.</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><FONT size="2">23.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants.</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><FONT size="2">24.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Power of Attorney (included on signature page hereto).</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">10</FONT>



</BODY>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "GANNETT CO INC /DE/", "cik": "0000039899", "assigned-sic": "2711", "irs-number": "160442930", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-107240", "film-number": "03796571"}, "business-address": {"street1": "7950 JONES BRANCH DRIVE", "city": "MCLEAN", "state": "VA", "zip": "22107-0910", "phone": "7038546000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "7950 JONES BRANCH DRIVE", "city": "MCLEAN", "state": "VA", "zip": "22107-0910"}}
sv8
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22, 2003
Registration
No. 333- ________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
GANNETT CO., INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
16-0442930
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA
(Address of registrant's principal executive offices)
22107
(Zip Code)
Gannett Co., Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan
(Full title of the Plan)
Thomas L. Chapple, Esq.
Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel
Gannett Co., Inc.
7950 Jones Branch Drive
McLean, VA 22107
(Name and address of agent for service)
(703) 854-6000
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
James E. Showen, Esq.
Hogan & Hartson L.L.P.
555 Thirteenth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004-1109
(202) 637-5600
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Amount
Proposed maximum
Proposed maximum
Amount of
Title of securities
to be
offering price
aggregate offering
registration
to be registered
Registered
per share
price
fee
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
50,000
(1)
$
76.99
(2)
$
3,849,500
$
312
Deferred Compensation Obligations (3)
$
70,000,000
100
%
$
70,000,000
$
5663
(1)
Represents shares of common stock issuable under the Gannett Co., Inc.
Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended.
(2)
Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(h) and (c) solely for purposes of
calculating the registration fee based on the average of the high and low
sales prices of the common stock on July 16, 2003, as reported on The New
York Stock Exchange.
(3)
Represent unsecured obligations of Gannett Co., Inc. to pay deferred
compensation in the future in accordance with the terms of the Gannett
Co., Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTU
S
The documents containing the information specified in Part I will be sent
or given to employees participating in the Plan, as specified by Rule 428(b)(1)
promulgated under the Securities Act. In accordance with the instructions to
Part I of Form S-8, such documents will not be filed with the Commission either
as part of this registration statement or as prospectuses or prospectus
supplements pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act. These
documents and the documents incorporated by reference pursuant to Item 3 of
Part II of this registration statement, taken together, constitute the
prospectus as required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
We hereby incorporate by reference into this registration statement the
following documents filed with the Commission:
(1)
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 29, 2002, which was filed on March 18, 2003, including
information incorporated by reference in the Form 10-K from our
definitive proxy statement for our 2003 annual meeting of
stockholders, which was filed on the same date;
(2)
our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period
ended March 30, 2003, which was filed on May 6, 2003; and
(3)
the description of our common stock contained in our
Registration Statement on Form 8-B, filed under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act, and all amendments or reports filed for the purpose of
updating such description.
In addition, all documents and reports subsequently filed by us pursuant
to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the "Exchange Act"), prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which
indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all
securities remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in
this registration statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of
such documents or reports. Any statement contained in a document incorporated
or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified
or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which
also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of
this registration statement.
Item 4. Description of Securities
.
The Common Stock of the Company is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
2
This registration statement covers, among other things, $70,000,000 of
Deferred Compensation Obligations that are being registered under this
Registration Statement to be offered to directors of the Company and officers
and employees of the Company and employees of participating affiliates of the
Company who reside in the United States and who are designated as eligible by
the Company. The following is a summary of the Plan as it relates to the
Deferred Compensation Obligations. The Obligations are general unsecured
obligations of the Company to pay deferred compensation in the future in
accordance with the terms of the Plan from the general assets of the Company,
and rank
pari passu
with other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the
Company outstanding from time to time.
The amount of compensation deferred by each participant ("Participant") in
the Plan is determined in accordance with the Plan based upon elections by each
Participant. Obligations in an amount equal to each Participant's deferral
account under the Plan (consisting of deferred salary and bonus amounts, gain
from stock incentive rights exercises, deferred shares of common stock issued
pursuant to stock option exercises and restricted stock grants, and any
appreciation or depreciation in value thereon) will be payable in accordance
with the Participant's deferral election and the terms of the Plan in a
lump-sum distribution or in installments. Hardship distributions are also
permitted. The Company may also make voluntary contributions to the Plan on
behalf of the Participants.
Plan participants may choose among a number of investment funds — a
Company stock fund, a money market fund, a bond fund, three domestic equity
funds, a balanced fund, an S&P 500 index fund and an international fund.
Dividends payable on the Company stock fund will be automatically reinvested in
common stock of the Company. The investment funds may be changed or others
added as determined by the Plan administrator, the Benefit Plans Committee.
However, any directors' compensation payable in restricted stock deferred under
the Plan and any stock option exercise gain deferred under the Plan will be
invested in the Company stock fund and may not be reallocated to any of the
other investment funds. Amounts representing deferred restricted stock or
deferred stock option exercise gain will be paid to the Participant in the form
of Company common stock. Amounts deferred under the Plan that do not represent
deferred directors' compensation payable in restricted stock or deferred stock
option exercise gain are payable in cash or kind in the Company's discretion.
The benefits payable under the Plan to an employee or director of the
Company will not revert to the Company or be subject to the Company's creditors
prior to the Company's insolvency or bankruptcy, nor, except pursuant to will
or the laws of descent and distribution, will they be subject in any way to
anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance,
charge, garnishment, execution or levy of any kind by the Participant, the
Participant's beneficiary or the creditors of either, including such liability
as may arise from the Participant's bankruptcy.
The Company reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan at any time,
except that no such amendment or termination shall, without the consent of a
Participant, adversely affect such Participant's interest in the Plan, i.e.,
the Participant's benefit accrued to the effective date of the amendment or
termination. The Obligations are not convertible into any other security of
the Company except that amounts deferred under the Plan as to which the
Participant has elected the Company stock fund may be distributed at the
election of the Participant in shares of Company common stock. The right of
any Participant to receive future payments under the provisions of the Plan
shall be a contractual obligation of the Company, but shall be subject to the
claims of the creditors of the Company in the event of the Company's insolvency
or bankruptcy. Plan assets may, in the Company's discretion, be placed in a
trust but will nevertheless continue to be subject to the claims of the
Company's creditors in the event of the Company's insolvency or bankruptcy as
provided in the trust agreement. In any event, the Plan is intended to be
unfunded under Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended.
3
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL") permits the
Company to indemnify any director or officer of the Company against expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement,
incurred in defense of any action (other than an action by or in the right of
the Company) arising by reason of the fact that he or she is or was an officer
or director of the Company if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Company and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Section 145 also
permits the Company to indemnify any such officer or director against expenses
incurred in an action by or in the right of the Company if he or she acted in
good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the Company, except in respect of any matter
as to which such person is adjudged to be liable to the Company. This statute
requires indemnification of such officers and directors against expenses to the
extent they may be successful in defending any such action. The statute
permits purchase of liability insurance by the Company on behalf of officers
and directors, and the Company has purchased such insurance.
Section 17 of Article II of the Company's By-Laws requires indemnification
to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law of any person who is or was
a director or officer of the Company who is or was involved or threatened to be
made so involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether criminal, civil,
administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or
was serving as a director, officer or employee of the Company or any
predecessor of the Company or was serving at the request of the Company as a
director, officer or employee of any other enterprise.
Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a provision in the certificate of
incorporation of each corporation organized thereunder, such as the Company,
eliminating or limiting, with certain exceptions, the personal liability of a
director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach
of fiduciary duty as a director. Article NINTH of the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company eliminates the liability of directors to the
extent permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL.
The foregoing statements are subject to the detailed provisions of
Sections 145 and 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, Section 17 of Article II of such
By-Laws and Article NINTH of such Certificate of Incorporation, as applicable.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed
.
Not applicable.
4
Item 8. Exhibits.
In accordance with the terms of Item 8(a) of Form S-8, no opinion of
counsel as to the legality of the securities has been provided because the
shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Plan will be issued from
our treasury or purchased in the open market.
Exhibit
No.
Exhibit
10.1
Gannett Co., Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended.
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants.
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on signature page hereto).
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a)
The Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration
statement:
(i)     To include any prospectus required by Section
10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii)     To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities
offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that
which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus
filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the
maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration
Fee" table in the effective registration statement;
(iii)     To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however,
that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona
fide
offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities
5
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.
(b)       The Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual
report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and,
where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report
pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by
reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona
fide
offering thereof.
(c)       Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to existing provisions or arrangements whereby the
Registrant may indemnify a director, officer or controlling person of the
Registrant against liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the
Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than for the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
6
SIGNATURES
The Registrant.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that
it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused
this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of McLean, Commonwealth of Virginia on
this 22
nd
day of July, 2003.
GANNETT CO., INC.
By:
/s/ Thomas L. Chapple
Thomas L. Chapple
Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative
Officer and General Counsel
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Douglas H. McCorkindale and Thomas L. Chapple,
and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with
power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to
this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or
their, his or her substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated
on this 22
nd
day of July, 2003:
Signature
Title
/s/ Douglas H. McCorkindale
Douglas H. McCorkindale
Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director
/s/ Gracia C. Martore
Gracia C. Martore
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer)
/s/ H. Jesse Arnelle
H. Jesse Arnelle
Director
/s/ Louis D. Boccardi
Louis D. Boccardi
Director
7
Signature
Title
/s/ Meredith A. Brokaw
Meredith A. Brokaw
Director
/s/ James A. Johnson
James A. Johnson
Director
/s/ Stephen P. Munn
Stephen P. Munn
Director
/s/ Donna E. Shalala
Donna E. Shalala
Director
/s/ Solomon D. Trujillo
Solomon D. Trujillo
Director
/s/ Karen Hastie Williams
Karen Hastie Williams
Director
8
The Plan
.     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly
caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of McLean, Commonwealth of
Virginia on this 22
nd
day of July, 2003
GANNETT CO., INC. DEFERRED
COMPENSATION
PLAN
By:
/s/ Thomas L. Chapple
Thomas L. Chapple
Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer
and General Counsel
9
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
No.
Exhibit
10.1
Gannett Co., Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended.
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants.
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on signature page hereto).
10