Less accumulated amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Expected return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return (Loss) on Plan Assets Award Timing Predetermined Award Timing Predetermined [Flag] Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Entity File Number Entity File Number Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Equity in earnings of associated companies Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Tabular List, Table Tabular List [Table Text Block] Deferred income taxes, net Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax Loss per common share: Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract] Equipment Machinery and Equipment, Gross Trading Arrangements, by Individual Trading Arrangements, by Individual [Table] Print advertising revenue Print [Member] Represents operating revenue from digital sources. Basic (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Adjustment to Compensation: Adjustment to Compensation [Axis] Named Executive Officers, Footnote Named Executive Officers, Footnote [Text Block] Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Revenue Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Adjustment to Compensation, Amount Adjustment to Compensation Amount Pension Plan Pension Plan [Member] Stock compensation expense Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense Rights Agreement Rights Agreement [Member] Rights Agreement Employee Stock Option Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] Award Timing MNPI Disclosure Award Timing MNPI Disclosure [Text Block] Total Lee Enterprises, Inc. Stockholders' deficit Equity, Attributable to Parent Insider Trading Policies and Procedures [Line Items] Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] MNI MNI [Member] Information pertaining to Madison Newspapers, Inc. ("MNI"). Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Total liabilities and deficit Liabilities and Equity Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items] Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items] Beginning of period End of period Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Including Discontinued Operation LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Cover [Abstract] Equity Method Investment [Table] Equity Method Investment [Table] Property and equipment: Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract] Net income attributable to non-controlling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Amortizable intangible assets, net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Curtailment/Settlement gains Curtailment/Settlement gain Net Periodic Defined Benefits Expense (Reversal of Expense), Excluding Service Cost Component Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote [Text Block] Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Line Items] Class of Warrant or Right [Axis] Class of Warrant or Right [Axis] Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Forgone Recovery due to Disqualification of Tax Benefits, Amount Forgone Recovery due to Disqualification of Tax Benefits, Amount Principal payments on long term borrowings Principal Payments On Long-Term Borrowings Principal Payments On Long-Term Borrowings Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated [Flag] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Loss before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Withdrawal liabilities and other Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Proceeds from sales of assets Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments [Table] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Shares issued (redeemed) Shares Issued (Redeemed) Equity impact of the value of stock issued (redeemed) during the period. Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Current maturities of long-term debt Long-Term Debt, Current Maturities Company Selected Measure Amount Company Selected Measure Amount Defined benefit plan, plan assets, contributions by employer Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer Award Timing MNPI Considered Award Timing MNPI Considered [Flag] Comprehensive loss attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Loss per common share: Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted EPS [Abstract] Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted EPS Expense related to cybersecurity incident Cybersecurity Incident, Related Expenses Cybersecurity Incident, Related Expenses Disposal Group Name [Domain] Disposal Group Name [Domain] Name Measure Name Income taxes payable Accrued Income Taxes, Noncurrent Current portion of lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Total intangibles, net Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill) Award Timing Method Award Timing Method [Text Block] Litigation Case [Domain] Litigation Case [Domain] Award Type Award Type [Axis] Total assets Assets Investment, Name [Domain] Investment, Name [Domain] Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Weighted average amortization period (in years) Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount Compensation Actually Paid vs. Other Measure Compensation Actually Paid vs. Other Measure [Text Block] Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Decrease in pension and other postretirement and postemployment benefit obligations Increase (Decrease) in Obligation, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Prior Year Equity Awards Vested in Covered Year Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Prior Year Equity Awards Vested in Covered Year [Member] Total operating revenue Operating revenue Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Associated companies Equity Method Investments Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Not Adopted Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Not Adopted [Text Block] Mastheads Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Cybersecurity insurance, deductible Cybersecurity Incident, Insurance Deductible, Amount Cybersecurity Incident, Insurance Deductible, Amount Bad debt expense Additions charged to expense Accounts Receivable, Credit Loss Expense (Reversal) Document Information [Table] Document Information [Table] PEO PEO [Member] Revenue Disaggregated by Source Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Income before taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Pension and medical plan assets Assets for Plan Benefits, Defined Benefit Plan Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Equity Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Total Compensation for Covered Year Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Equity Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Total Compensation for Covered Year [Member] Defined benefit plan, plan assets, period increase (decrease) Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Period Increase (Decrease) Accumulated Deficit Retained Earnings [Member] Prepaid and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Restatement Determination Date Restatement Determination Date Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Income tax benefit Income tax benefit Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Common Class B Common Class B [Member] Document Information [Line Items] Document Information [Line Items] Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Other intangible assets, net Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Pension Adjustments Service Cost Pension Adjustments Service Cost [Member] Product and Service [Domain] Product and Service [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Property and equipment, gross Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Net loss Net (loss) income Net loss Net income Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Restatement does not require Recovery Restatement Does Not Require Recovery [Text Block] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure [Text Block] City Area Code City Area Code Award Timing, How MNPI Considered Award Timing, How MNPI Considered [Text Block] All Trading Arrangements All Trading Arrangements [Member] Equity Awards Adjustments, Footnote Equity Awards Adjustments, Footnote [Text Block] Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group [Text Block] Compensation and other accrued liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Current Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Buildings and improvements Buildings and Improvements, Gross Cash provided by investing activities: Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract] Pay vs Performance Disclosure Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] Net cash provided by (required for) operating activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Long-term debt, term (years) Debt Instrument, Term Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] Amortization of net (gain) loss Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gain (Loss) Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] Goodwill Goodwill, beginning of period Goodwill, end of period Goodwill Equity Valuation Assumption Difference, Footnote Equity Valuation Assumption Difference, Footnote [Text Block] PEO Total Compensation Amount PEO Total Compensation Amount Long-Term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-Term Debt, Type [Axis] Subscription Subscription revenue Subscription and Circulation [Member] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Pension obligations Liability, Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Noncurrent Secured Term Loan Secured Term Loan [Member] Represents information related to secured term loan. Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted [Flag] Other Performance Measure, Amount Other Performance Measure, Amount Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Defined benefit plan, benefit obligation, lump sum payment for settlement Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Lump Sum Payment for Settlement Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Lump Sum Payment for Settlement Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Individual: Individual [Axis] Long-term debt, increase in outstanding balance Debt Instrument, Increase (Decrease), Net Investments: Investments [Abstract] Net cash provided by investing activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Aggregate Change in Present Value of Accumulated Benefit for All Pension Plans Reported in Summary Compensation Table Aggregate Change in Present Value of Accumulated Benefit for All Pension Plans Reported in Summary Compensation Table [Member] Number of defined benefit plans Number Of Defined Benefit Plans Number Of Defined Benefit Plans Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Lender Name [Axis] Lender Name [Axis] Operating lease right-of-use assets Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Forgone Recovery, Explanation of Impracticability Forgone Recovery, Explanation of Impracticability [Text Block] Equity method investments, ownership percentage Subsidiary, Ownership Percentage, Noncontrolling Owner Effective income tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee [Axis] Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee [Axis] Cash (required for) provided by operating activities: Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Continuing Operation [Abstract] Equity: Equity [Abstract] Proceeds from sales of assets Proceeds From Sale Of Property, Plant, And Equipment, Including Non-Cash Items Proceeds From Sale Of Property, Plant, And Equipment, Including Non-Cash Items Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Preferred Share Purchase Rights Preferred Share Purchase Rights [Member] Preferred Share Purchase Rights Ownership [Domain] Ownership [Domain] Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return [Text Block] Newsprint and ink Newsprint And Ink Newsprint and ink expense: expenses related to the consumption of newsprint and ink (both inventoried items) Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Other Other Assets, Noncurrent Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Settlement gain Settlement gain Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement PEO Name PEO Name Prior Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Any Prior Year that Fail to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Covered Year Prior Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Any Prior Year that Fail to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Covered Year [Member] Curtailment gain Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailment Outstanding Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Outstanding Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Defined Benefit Plan [Table] Defined Benefit Plan [Table] Arrangement Duration Trading Arrangement Duration Unearned revenue Contract with Customer, Liability, Current Multiemployer plans, withdrawal obligation, period (years) Multiemployer Plans Withdrawal Obligation Period The period of time in which an obligation recognized by withdrawing from a pension or postretirement benefit plan will be paid. Class of warrant or right, exercise price of warrants or rights (in dollars per share) Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights Exercise Price Award Exercise Price Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Additional 402(v) Disclosure Additional 402(v) Disclosure [Text Block] Other, net Payment for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activity Other, net Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Other Item ASSETS Assets [Abstract] INN Partners, L.C. INN Partners, L.C. [Member] Information pertaining to INN Partners, L.C. ("TownNews.com"). Long-term debt, net of current maturities Long-Term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Underlying Security Market Price Change Underlying Security Market Price Change, Percent Class of Warrant or Right [Domain] Class of Warrant or Right [Domain] Medical Plan Postretirement Medical Plans Postretirement Health Coverage [Member] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Pension, Postretirement and Postemployment Defined Benefit Plans Retirement Benefits [Text Block] Customer and newspaper subscriber lists Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Stockholders' equity (deficit): Equity, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Vesting Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in Covered Year Vesting Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in Covered Year [Member] Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Long-term debt, interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Investment, Name [Axis] Investment, Name [Axis] Operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent Ownership [Axis] Ownership [Axis] Other Other Long-Term Investments Amortization of prior service benefit Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit) Non-amortized intangible assets: Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract] Preferred share purchase rights, terms of exercisability, ownership percentage Warrants Or Rights Outstanding, Terms Of Exercisability, Ownership Percentage Threshold Warrants Or Rights Outstanding, Terms Of Exercisability, Ownership Percentage Threshold Land and improvements Land Fair Value as of Grant Date Award Grant Date Fair Value Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Defined benefit plan, benefit obligation, voluntary settlement, number of participants Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Voluntary Settlement, Number of Participants Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Voluntary Settlement, Number of Participants Stock Price or TSR Estimation Method Stock Price or TSR Estimation Method [Text Block] Pension and postretirement medical benefit Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) Compensation Labor and Related Expense Dilutive restricted Common Stock (in shares) Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-Based Payment Arrangements BH Finance BH Finance [Member] Represents information related to BH finance. Decrease in inventories and other Increase (Decrease) in Inventories and Other Operating Assets Change in income taxes payable Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable, Net of Income Taxes Receivable Credit Agreement Credit Agreement [Member] Represents information related to credit agreement. Document Quarterly Report Document Quarterly Report Changed Peer Group, Footnote Changed Peer Group, Footnote [Text Block] Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote [Text Block] Advertising and marketing services Advertising and marketing services revenue Advertising and Marketing Services [Member] Represents the information pertaining to advertising and marketing services. Return of letters of credit collateral Return Of (Payments To Collateralize) Letters Of Credit The amount of proceeds from (payments to) collateralize letters of credit. Interest cost on projected benefit obligation Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost Prepayment obligation period Debt Instrument, Covenant, Prepayment Obligation Period Debt Instrument, Covenant, Prepayment Obligation Period Total investments Investments Title Trading Arrangement, Individual Title Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount Restatement Determination Date: Restatement Determination Date [Axis] Non-PEO NEO Non-PEO NEO [Member] Name Trading Arrangement, Individual Name All Award Types Award Type [Domain] Non-controlling interests Equity, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Equity Awards Adjustments Equity Awards Adjustments [Member] Pension Benefits Adjustments, Footnote Pension Benefits Adjustments, Footnote [Text Block] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Compensation Amount Outstanding Recovery Compensation Amount Long-term debt Debt Instrument, Face Amount Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation Disclosure [Line Items] Contract liability revenue recognized Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Retirement Plan Type [Domain] MNPI Disclosure Timed for Compensation Value MNPI Disclosure Timed for Compensation Value [Flag] Name Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures, Individual Name Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Not Yet Determined Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Not Yet Determined [Text Block] Operating revenue: Revenues [Abstract] Net income Operating Income (Loss) From Equity Method Investments Amount of operating income (loss) for proportionate share of equity method investee's income (loss). Stock compensation APIC, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Principal payments on long-term debt Proceeds from (Repayments of) Debt Litigation Case [Axis] Litigation Case [Axis] TNI Partners TNI Partners [Member] Information pertaining to TNI Partners ("TNI"). Aggregate Pension Adjustments Service Cost Aggregate Pension Adjustments Service Cost [Member] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Earnings, net of distributions, deemed returns on investment of TNI and MNI Distributions Greater (Less) Than Earnings Of TNI And MNI Distributions which are greater (less) than the earnings of TNI Partners ("TNI")and Madison Newspapers, Inc.("MNI"). Inventories Inventory, Net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Less accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Company Selected Measure Name Company Selected Measure Name Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Serial convertible preferred stock, no par value; authorized 500 shares; none issued Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Aggregate Available Trading Arrangement, Securities Aggregate Available Amount Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] Other comprehensive loss Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax All Executive Categories All Executive Categories [Member] Common stock Common Stock, Value, Issued Goodwill [Roll Forward] Goodwill [Roll Forward] Commitments and Contingent Liabilities Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Diluted average common shares (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Non-GAAP Measure Description Non-GAAP Measure Description [Text Block] Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Other operating expenses Other Cost and Expense, Operating Non-Controlling Interests: Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Pension and OPEB related benefit and other, net Pension And OPEB Related Benefit (Cost) And Other, Net Pension And OPEB Related Benefit (Cost) And Other, Net Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Customer and newspaper subscriber lists Customer and Newspaper Subscriber Lists [Member] Represents information related to customer and newspaper subscriber lists. Equity method investment, ownership percentage Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Noncontrolling Interest [Table] Noncontrolling Interest [Table] Underlying Securities Award Underlying Securities Amount Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Document Period End Date Document Period End Date PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Allowance for credit loss Balance, beginning of period Balance, end of period Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss Common Class A Common Class A [Member] Less weighted average restricted Common Stock (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares, Restricted Stock Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures, Table Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures [Table Text Block] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Long-term debt, fair value Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure Total deficit Beginning balance Ending balance Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Document Type Document Type Loss Per Common Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Name Outstanding Recovery, Individual Name Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingencies [Table] Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital Schedule of Net Periodic Pension and Postretirement Cost (Benefit) Components Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block] Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] All Individuals All Individuals [Member] Long-Term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-Term Debt, Type [Domain] Increase in receivables Increase (Decrease) in Receivables Purchases of property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Name Forgone Recovery, Individual Name Total current assets Assets, Current Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested [Member] Amount of loss contingency liability Loss Contingency Accrual Weighted average common shares (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Issued, Basic Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Disposal Group Name [Axis] Disposal Group Name [Axis] Digital advertising revenue Digital [Member] Represents operating revenue from digital sources. Peer Group Issuers, Footnote Peer Group Issuers, Footnote [Text Block] Erroneous Compensation Analysis Erroneous Compensation Analysis [Text Block] VPPA Class Action VPPA Class Action [Member] VPPA Class Action Dividends declared, number of preferred share purchase rights Dividends Declared, Number Of Preferred Share Purchase Rights Per Common Share Dividends Declared, Number Of Preferred Share Purchase Rights Per Common Share Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived [Table] Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived [Table] Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Total operating expenses Operating expenses Operating Expenses Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated [Flag] Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, No Par Value Number of state and local jurisdictions Number Of State And Local Jurisdictions Number Of State And Local Jurisdictions Non Core Operations Non-Core Operations [Member] Non Core Operations Diluted (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Erroneously Awarded Compensation Recovery Erroneously Awarded Compensation Recovery [Table] Accounts receivable, net Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Total non-operating expense, net Nonoperating Income (Expense) Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Domain] Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Domain] Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent Subsidiary, Ownership Percentage, Parent Prepayment of net cash proceeds, percent Debt Instrument, Covenant, Prepayment Of Net Cash Proceeds, Percent Debt Instrument, Covenant, Prepayment Of Net Cash Proceeds, Percent Investments In Associated Companies Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block] Allocated to sold operations Allocated to sold operations Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit Preferred stock purchase rights, number of common shares issued in lieu of discount Warrants Or Rights Outstanding, Number Of Common Shares Issued In Lieu Of Discount Warrants Or Rights Outstanding, Number Of Common Shares Issued In Lieu Of Discount Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Axis] Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Axis] Postretirement and postemployment benefit obligations Postemployment Benefits Liability, Noncurrent Award Timing Disclosures [Line Items] Service cost for benefits earned during the period Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost Cybersecurity incident, insurance reimbursements received Cybersecurity Incident, Insurance Reimbursements, Amount Cybersecurity Incident, Insurance Reimbursements, Amount Distributions to minority owners Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders Loss attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated Loss attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Subsequent Event [Table] Subsequent Event [Table] Expiration Date Trading Arrangement Expiration Date Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee [Domain] Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee [Domain] Other Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward] Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward] Summarized Results of TNI and MNI Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block] Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Restructuring costs and other Restructuring costs Restructuring Charges Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Adoption Date Trading Arrangement Adoption Date Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income [Text Block] Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures [Table] Operating (loss) income Operating income Operating Income (Loss) Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Assets (gain) loss on sales, impairments and other, net Assets (gain) loss on sales, impairments and other, net Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested [Member] Executive Category: Executive Category [Axis] Multiemployer plans, withdrawal obligation Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of warrant or right, number of securities called by each warrant or right (in shares) Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Each Warrant or Right Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract] Amortizable intangible assets: Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Award Amounts Reported in Summary Compensation Table Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Award Amounts Reported in Summary Compensation Table [Member] Schedule of Allowance for Credit Losses Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity [Abstract] Cash required for financing activities: Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract] Equity Awards Adjustments, Excluding Value Reported in Compensation Table Equity Awards Adjustments, Excluding Value Reported in the Compensation Table [Member] Distribution from equity method investments Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets Schedule of Intangible Assets [Table Text Block] The tabular disclosure of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with both finite and infinite lives by major class. Anti-dilutive shares excluded (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount All Adjustments to Compensation All Adjustments to Compensation [Member] Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Termination Date Trading Arrangement Termination Date Net cash required for financing activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Adopted Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Adopted [Flag] Measure: Measure [Axis] Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Basic average common shares (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Pay vs Performance Disclosure, Table Pay vs Performance [Table Text Block] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Forgone Recovery due to Violation of Home Country Law, Amount Forgone Recovery due to Violation of Home Country Law, Amount Non-operating (expense) income: Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Deductions from reserves Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff Accounts receivable, excluding allowance for credit loss Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss Forgone Recovery due to Expense of Enforcement, Amount Forgone Recovery due to Expense of Enforcement, Amount Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares issued (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Issued Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Non-cash interest Non-Cash Interest Expense Non-Cash Interest Expense Mastheads Mastheads [Member] Represents information related to Mastheads. Construction in process Construction in Progress, Gross Interest expense Interest Expense, Nonoperating Trading Arrangement: Trading Arrangement [Axis] Total Shareholder Return Amount Total Shareholder Return Amount Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Insider Trading Arrangements [Line Items] Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Preferred share purchase rights, discount rate for purchase of additional shares, percentage Warrants Or Rights Outstanding, Exercisable, Discount Rate For Purchase Of Additional Common Shares Warrants Or Rights Outstanding, Exercisable, Discount Rate For Purchase Of Additional Common Shares Other Other revenue Product and Service, Other [Member] Total liabilities Liabilities Cash and cash equivalents: Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect and Discontinued Operation [Abstract] Pension Adjustments Prior Service Cost Pension Adjustments Prior Service Cost [Member] Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Operating expenses: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Material Terms of Trading Arrangement Material Terms of Trading Arrangement [Text Block] Defined benefit plan, expected future employer contributions, next fiscal year Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Next Fiscal Year Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted [Flag] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalent Subsequent Event [Line Items] Subsequent Event [Line Items] Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Non-NEOs Non-NEOs [Member] Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect and Discontinued Operation