EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

     We are filing this registration statement to register an additional 11,500,000 shares of our common stock for issuance pursuant to the Gannett Co., Inc. 2001 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended (the “Plan”). The increase in the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Plan was approved by our stockholders at our 2004 annual meeting, held on May 4, 2004. Pursuant to General Instruction E to Form S-8, the contents of the earlier registration statements related to the Plan on Form S-8 filed on May 8, 2001 (Reg. No. 333-60402) and on Form S-8 filed May 6, 2003 (Reg. No. 333-105029) are incorporated herein by reference except to the extent supplemented, amended or superseded by the information set forth herein. Only those Items of Form S-8 containing new information not contained in the earlier registration statement are presented herein. In accordance with the terms of Item 8(a), no opinion of counsel as to the legality of the securities has been provided because the shares to be issued will be issued from our treasury.

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:

     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contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is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 Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.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 8. Exhibits.

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 County of Fairfax, Commonwealth of Virginia on this 4th day of May, 2004.

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 4th day of May, 2004:

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 10.1

Gannett Co., Inc.
2001 Omnibus Incentive
Compensation Plan

Effective January 1, 2001

[Revised to reflect revisions through May 4, 2004]

Contents

Gannett Co., Inc. 2001 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan

Article 1. Establishment, Objectives, and Duration

     1.1 Establishment of the Plan. Gannett Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”), hereby establishes an incentive compensation plan to be known as the “Gannett Co., Inc. 2001 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan” (hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”), as set forth in this document. The Plan permits the grant of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Performance Shares, Performance Units, and Cash-Based Awards.

     Subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders, the Plan shall become effective as of January 1, 2001 (the “Effective Date”) and shall remain in effect as provided in Section 1.3 hereof.

     1.2 Objectives of the Plan. The objectives of the Plan are to optimize the profitability and growth of the Company through annual and long-term incentives that are consistent with the Company’s goals and that link the personal interests of Participants to those of the Company’s stockholders, to provide Participants with an incentive for excellence in individual performance, and to promote teamwork among Participants.

     The Plan is further intended to provide flexibility to the Company and its Affiliates in their ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of Participants who make significant contributions to the Company’s success and to allow Participants to share in that success.

     1.3 Duration of the Plan. The Plan shall commence on the Effective Date and shall remain in effect, subject to the right of the Committee to amend or terminate the Plan at any time pursuant to Article 16 hereof, until all Shares subject to it shall have been purchased or acquired according to the Plan’s provisions. However, in no event may an Award be granted under the Plan on or after the tenth (10^th) anniversary of the Effective Date.

     1.4 Prior Plans. Effective on May 8, 2001, no further awards shall be made under the Company’s 1978 Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan or the 1968 Executive Incentive Bonus Plan; provided, however, that any rights theretofore granted under either such plan shall not be affected.

Article 2. Definitions

     Whenever used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below, and when the meaning is intended, the initial letter of the word shall be capitalized:

     2.1 “Affiliate” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Exchange Act.

     2.2 “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under this Plan of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Performance Shares, Performance Units, or Cash-Based Awards.

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     2.3 “Award Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement entered into by the Company and each Participant setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to Awards granted under this Plan.

     2.4 “Beneficial Owner” or “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act.

     2.5 “Board” or “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

     2.6 “Cash-Based Award” means an Award granted to a Participant as described in Article 9 hereof.

     2.7 “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred under any one or more of the following conditions:

               i. if, within three years of any merger, consolidation, sale of a substantial part of Gannett’s assets, or contested election, or any combination of the foregoing transactions (a “Transaction”), the persons who were directors of Gannett immediately before the Transaction shall cease to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors (x) of Gannett or (y) of any successor to Gannett, or (z) if Gannett becomes a subsidiary of or is merged into or consolidated with another corporation, of such corporation (Gannett shall be deemed a subsidiary of such other corporation if such other corporation owns or controls, directly or indirectly, a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of Gannett entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (“Voting Stock”));

               ii. if, as a result of a Transaction, Gannett does not survive as an entity, or its shares are changed into the shares of another corporation;

               iii. if any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) becomes a beneficial owner directly or indirectly of securities of Gannett representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of Gannett’s Voting Stock;

               iv. if three or more persons are elected directors of Gannett despite the opposition of a majority of the directors of Gannett then in office; or

               v. upon determination by the Committee that a Change in Control has occurred, if such a person as defined in subparagraph (iii) above becomes the beneficial owner directly or indirectly of securities of Gannett representing from 12% up to 20% of the combined voting power of Gannett’s Voting Stock.

Effective as of December 4, 2001, “Change in Control” shall have the same definition as set forth in Section 5 of the Gannett Transitional Compensation Plan, as that definition may be amended from time to time.

     2.8 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

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     2.9 “Committee” means any committee appointed by the Board to administer Awards to Employees or Directors, as specified in Article 3 hereof.

     2.10 “Company” means Gannett Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation and any successor thereto as provided in Article 18 hereof.

     2.11 “Covered Employee” means a Participant who, as of the date of vesting and/or payout of an Award, as applicable, is one of the group of “covered employees,” as defined in the regulations promulgated under Code Section 162(m), or any successor statute.

     2.12 “Director” means any individual who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company; provided, however, that any Director who is employed by the Company shall be considered an Employee under the Plan.

     2.13 “Disability” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Participant’s governing long-term disability plan, or if no such plan exists, at the discretion of the Committee, or if different, as defined in the Employee’s employment contract with the Company or any of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries.

     2.14 “Effective Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1.1 hereof.

     2.15 “Employee” means any employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

     2.16 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor act thereto.

     2.17 “Fair Market Value” as of any date and in respect of any Share means the then most recent closing price of a Share reflected in the consolidated trading tables of USA Today or any other publication selected by the Committee, provided that, if Shares shall not have been traded on the New York Stock Exchange for more than 10 days immediately preceding such date or if deemed appropriate by the Committee for any other reason, the fair market value of Shares shall be as determined by the Committee in such other manner as it may deem appropriate. In no event shall the fair market value of any Share be less than its par value.

     2.18 “Freestanding SAR” means an SAR that is granted independently of any Options, as described in Article 7 hereof.

     2.19 “Incentive Stock Option” or “ISO” means an option to purchase Shares granted under Article 6 hereof and that is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and that is intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 422.

     2.20 “Insider” shall mean an individual who is, on the relevant date, an executive officer, director or ten percent (10%) beneficial owner of any class of the Company’s equity securities that is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, all as defined under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

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     2.21 “Nonqualified Stock Option” or “NQSO” means an option to purchase Shares granted under Article 6 hereof and that is not intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 422, or that otherwise does not meet such requirements.

     2.22 “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option, as described in Article 6 hereof.

     2.23 “Option Price” means the price at which a Share may be purchased by a Participant pursuant to an Option.

     2.24 “Participant” means an Employee or Director who has been selected to receive an Award or who has outstanding an Award granted under the Plan.

     2.25 “Performance-Based Exception” means the performance-based exception from the tax deductibility limitations of Code Section 162(m).

     2.26 “Performance Share” means an Award granted to a Participant, as described in Article 9 hereof.

     2.27 “Performance Unit” means an Award granted to a Participant, as described in Article 9 hereof.

     2.28 “Period of Restriction” means the period during which the transfer of Shares of Restricted Stock is limited in some way (based on the passage of time, the achievement of performance goals, or upon the occurrence of other events as determined by the Committee, at its discretion), and the Shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, pursuant to the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, as provided in Article 8 hereof.

     2.29 “Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a “group” as defined in Section 13(d) thereof.

     2.30 “Restricted Stock” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 8 hereof.

     2.31 “Retirement” means any retirement recognized under the Gannett Retirement Plan or any successor plan thereto.

     2.32 “Shares” means the Company’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share.

     2.33 “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means an Award, granted alone or in connection with a related Option, designated as an SAR, pursuant to the terms of Article 7 hereof.

     2.34 “Subsidiary” means any corporation, partnership, joint venture, or other entity in which the Company has a majority voting interest.

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     2.35 “Tandem SAR” means an SAR that is granted in connection with a related Option pursuant to Article 7 hereof, the exercise of which shall require forfeiture of the right to purchase a Share under the related Option (and when a Share is purchased under the Option, the Tandem SAR shall similarly be canceled).

Article 3. Administration

     3.1 General. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The members of the Committee shall be appointed from time to time by, and shall serve at the discretion of, the Board of Directors. The Committee shall have the authority to delegate administrative duties to officers of the Company.

     3.2 Authority of the Committee. Except as limited by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company, and subject to the provisions herein, the Committee shall have full power to select Employees and Directors who shall participate in the Plan; determine the sizes and types of Awards; determine the terms and conditions of Awards in a manner consistent with the Plan; construe and interpret the Plan and any agreement or instrument entered into under the Plan; establish, amend, or waive rules and regulations for the Plan’s administration; and amend the terms and conditions of any outstanding Award as provided in the Plan. Further, the Committee shall make all other determinations that it deems necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. As permitted by law and the terms of the Plan, the Committee may delegate its authority herein. No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action taken or decision made in good faith relating to the Plan or any Award granted hereunder.

     3.3 Decisions Binding. All determinations and decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan and all related orders and resolutions of the Committee shall be final, conclusive, and binding on all persons, including the Company, its stockholders, Directors, Employees, Participants, and their estates and beneficiaries, unless changed by the Board.

Article 4. Shares Subject to the Plan and Maximum Awards

     4.1 Number of Shares Available for Grants. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2 hereof, the number of Shares hereby reserved for issuance to Participants under the Plan shall be thirty-two million five hundred thousand (32,500,000), no more than five million (5,000,000) of which may be granted in the aggregate in the form of Restricted Stock, Performance Shares and/or Performance Units. The Committee shall determine the appropriate methodology for calculating the number of shares issued pursuant to the Plan. Shares issued under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares. The Plan also amends and restates the 1978 Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan and the 1968 Executive Incentive Bonus Plan, each in its entirety (it being noted that awards under such plans prior to May 8, 2001, shall not be impacted by this amendment).

     Unless the Committee determines that an Award to a Covered Employee shall not be designed to comply with the Performance-Based Exception, the following rules shall apply to grants of such Awards under the Plan:

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     4.2 Adjustments in Authorized Shares. Upon a change in corporate capitalization, such as a stock split, stock dividend or a corporate transaction, such as any merger, consolidation, combination, exchange of shares or the like, separation, including a spin-off, or other distribution of stock or property of the Company, any reorganization (whether or not such reorganization comes within the definition of such term in Code Section 368) or any partial or complete liquidation of the Company, such adjustment shall be made in the number and class of Shares that may be delivered under Section 4.1, in the number and class of and/or price of Shares subject to outstanding Awards granted under the Plan, and in the Award limits set forth in Section 4.1, as may be determined to be appropriate and equitable by the Committee, in its sole discretion, to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights.

     4.3 Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring Events. The Committee may make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in Section 4.2 hereof) affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan; provided that, unless the Committee determines otherwise at the time such adjustment is considered, no such adjustment shall be authorized to the extent that such authority would be inconsistent with the Plan’s or any Award’s meeting the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, as from time to time amended.

Article 5. Eligibility and Participation

     5.1 Eligibility. Persons eligible to participate in this Plan include all Employees and Directors.

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     5.2 Actual Participation. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, select from all eligible Employees and Directors, those to whom Awards shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award.

     5.3 Newly Eligible Employees. The Committee shall be entitled to make such rules, regulations, determinations and awards as it deems appropriate in respect of any Employee who becomes eligible to participate in the Plan or any portion thereof after the commencement of an award or incentive period.

     5.4 Leaves of Absence. The Committee shall be entitled to make such rules, regulations, and determinations as it deems appropriate under the Plan in respect of any leave of absence taken by the recipient of any award. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall be entitled to determine: (a) whether or not any such leave of absence shall constitute a termination of employment within the meaning of the Plan; and (b) the impact, if any, of such leave of absence on awards under the Plan theretofore made to any recipient who takes such leave of absence.

Article 6. Stock Options

     6.1 Grant of Options. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, Options may be granted to Participants in such number, and upon such terms, and at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee.

     6.2 Award Agreement. Each Option grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Option Price, the duration of the Option, the number of Shares to which the Option pertains, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine which are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.

     6.3 Option Price. The Option Price for each grant of an Option under this Plan shall be as determined by the Committee; provided, however, the per-share exercise price shall not be less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date the Option is granted.

     6.4 Duration of Options. Each Option granted to a Participant shall expire at such time as the Committee shall determine at the time of grant.

     6.5 Exercise of Options. Options granted under this Article 6 shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee shall in each instance approve, which need not be the same for each grant or for each Participant.

     6.6 Payment. Options granted under this Article 6 shall be exercised by the delivery of a written, electronic or telephonic notice of exercise to the Company, setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, accompanied by full payment for the Shares.

     The Option Price upon exercise of any Option shall be payable to the Company in full either: (a) in cash or its equivalent; or (b) by tendering previously acquired Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total Option Price (provided that the Shares that are tendered must have been held by the Participant for at least six (6) months prior to their tender to

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satisfy the Option Price); or (c) by a combination of (a) and (b); or (d) any other method approved by the Committee in its sole discretion. The tendering of previously acquired shares may be done through attestation. No fractional shares may be tendered or accepted in payment of the Option Price.

     Cashless exercises are permitted pursuant to Federal Reserve Board’s Regulation T, subject to applicable securities law restrictions, or by any other means which the Committee determines to be consistent with the Plan’s purpose and applicable law.

     Subject to any governing rules or regulations, as soon as practicable after receipt of notification of exercise and full payment, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, in the Participant’s name, Share certificates in an appropriate amount based upon the number of Shares purchased under the Option(s).

     Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, all payments under all of the methods indicated above shall be paid in United States dollars.

     6.7 Restrictions on Share Transferability. The Committee may impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option granted under this Article 6 as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, restrictions under applicable federal securities laws, under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Shares are then listed and/or traded, or under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such Shares.

     6.8 Nontransferability of Options.

Article 7. Stock Appreciation Rights

     7.1 Grant of SARs. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, SARs may be granted to Participants at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee. The Committee may grant Freestanding SARs, Tandem SARs, or any combination of these forms of SAR.

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     Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee shall have complete discretion in determining the number of SARs granted to each Participant and, consistent with the provisions of the Plan, in determining the terms and conditions pertaining to such SARs.

     The grant price of a Freestanding SAR shall equal the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of the SAR. The grant price of Tandem SARs shall equal the Option Price of the related Option.

     7.2 SAR Agreement. Each SAR grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the grant price, the term of the SAR, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine.

     7.3 Term of SARs. The term of an SAR granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

     7.4 Exercise of Freestanding SARs. Freestanding SARs may be exercised upon whatever terms and conditions the Committee, in its sole discretion, imposes upon them.

     7.5 Exercise of Tandem SARs. Tandem SARs may be exercised for all or part of the Shares subject to the related Option upon the surrender of the right to exercise the equivalent portion of the related Option. A Tandem SAR may be exercised only with respect to the Shares for which its related Option is then exercisable.

     7.6 Payment of SAR Amount. Upon exercise of an SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:

     In the sole discretion of the Committee, the payment upon SAR exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, in some combination thereof, or in any other manner approved by the Committee. The Committee’s determination regarding the form of SAR payout shall be set forth in the Award Agreement pertaining to the grant of the SAR.

     7.7 Nontransferability of SARs. Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Award Agreement, no SAR granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Further, except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Award Agreement, all SARs granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant or such Participant’s legal representative.

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Article 8. Restricted Stock

     8.1 Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Participants in such amounts, as the Committee shall determine.

     8.2 Restricted Stock Agreement. Each Restricted Stock grant shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Award Agreement that shall specify the Period(s) of Restriction, the number of Shares of Restricted Stock granted, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine.

     8.3 Transferability. Except as provided in this Article 8, the Shares of Restricted Stock granted herein may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction established by the Committee and specified in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, or upon earlier satisfaction of any other conditions, as specified by the Committee in its sole discretion and set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement. All rights with respect to the Restricted Stock granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be available during his or her lifetime only to such Participant or such Participant’s legal representative.

     8.4 Other Restrictions. The Committee shall impose such other conditions and/or restrictions on any Shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan as it may deem advisable including, without limitation, a requirement that Participants pay a stipulated purchase price for each Share of Restricted Stock, restrictions based upon the achievement of specific performance goals, time-based restrictions on vesting following the attainment of the performance goals, time-based restrictions, and/or restrictions under applicable federal or state securities laws.

     To the extent deemed appropriate by the Committee, the Company may retain the certificates representing Shares of Restricted Stock in the Company’s possession until such time as all conditions and/or restrictions applicable to such Shares have been satisfied.

     Except as otherwise provided in this Article 8, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan shall become freely transferable by the Participant after the last day of the applicable Period of Restriction.

     8.5 Voting Rights. If the Committee so determines, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may be granted the right to exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares during the Period of Restriction.

     8.6 Dividends and Other Distributions. During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may, if the Committee so determines, be credited with dividends paid with respect to the underlying Shares while they are so held. The Committee may apply any restrictions to the dividends that the Committee deems appropriate. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, if the grant or vesting of Restricted Shares granted to a Covered Employee is designed to comply with the requirements of the Performance-Based Exception, the Committee may apply any restrictions it deems appropriate to the payment of dividends declared with respect to such Restricted Shares, such that the dividends and/or the Restricted Shares maintain eligibility for the Performance-Based Exception.

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Article 9. Performance Units, Performance Shares, and Cash-Based Awards

     9.1 Grant of Performance Units/Shares and Cash-Based Awards. Subject to the terms of the Plan, Performance Units, Performance Shares, and/or Cash-Based Awards may be granted to Participants in such amounts and upon such terms, and at any time and from time to time, as shall be determined by the Committee.

     9.2 Award Agreement. At the Committee’s discretion, each grant of Performance Units/Shares and Cash-Based Awards may be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the initial value, the duration of the Award, the performance measures, if any, applicable to the Award, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine which are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.

     9.3 Value of Performance Units/Shares and Cash-Based Awards. Each Performance Unit shall have an initial value that is established by the Committee at the time of grant. Each Performance Share shall have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant. Each Cash-Based Award shall have a value as may be determined by the Committee. The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number and/or value of Performance Units/Shares and Cash-Based Awards that will be paid out to the Participant. For purposes of this Article 9, the time period during which the performance goals must be met shall be called a “Performance Period.”

     9.4 Earning of Performance Units/Shares and Cash-Based Awards. Subject to the terms of this Plan, after the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units/Shares and Cash-Based Awards shall be entitled to receive payout on the number and value of Performance Units/Shares and Cash-Based Awards earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance goals have been achieved. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, payment of Cash-Based Awards shall only be made for those Participants who are Directors or in the employ of the Company at the end of the Performance Period or, if none has been specified, the end of the applicable award year.

     9.5 Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units/Shares and Cash-Based Awards. Payment of earned Performance Units/Shares and Cash-Based Awards shall be as determined by the Committee and, if applicable, as evidenced in the related Award Agreement. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units/Shares and Cash-Based Awards in the form of cash or in Shares (or in a combination thereof) that have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Performance Units/Shares and Cash-Based Awards at the close of the applicable Performance Period. Such Shares may be granted subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee. No fractional shares will be issued. The determination of the Committee with respect to the form of payout of such Awards shall be set forth in the Award Agreement pertaining to the grant of the Award.

     Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, Participants holding Performance Units/Shares may be entitled to receive dividend units with respect to dividends declared with respect to the Shares. Such dividends may be subject to the same accrual, forfeiture, and payout restrictions as

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apply to dividends earned with respect to Shares of Restricted Stock, as set forth in Section 8.6 hereof, as determined by the Committee.

     9.6 Nontransferability. Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Award Agreement, Performance Units/Shares and Cash-Based Awards may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Further, except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Award Agreement, a Participant’s rights under the Plan shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by such Participant or such Participant’s legal representative.

Article 10. Performance Measures

     Unless and until the Committee proposes for shareholder vote and shareholders approve a change in the general performance measures set forth in this Article 10, the attainment of which may determine the degree of payout and/or vesting with respect to Awards to Covered Employees that are designed to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception, the performance measure(s) to be used for purposes of such grants shall be chosen from among:

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     Performance measures may be set either at the corporate level, division level, or the business unit level.

     Awards that are designed to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception, and that are held by Covered Employees, may not be adjusted upward (the Committee shall retain the discretion to adjust such Awards downward).

     If applicable tax and/or securities laws change to permit Committee discretion to alter the governing performance measures without obtaining shareholder approval of such changes, the Committee shall have sole discretion to make such changes without obtaining shareholder approval.

Article 11. Beneficiary Designation

     Each Participant under the Plan may, from time to time, name any beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be named contingently or successively) to whom any benefit under the Plan is to be paid in case of his or her death before he or she receives any or all of such benefit. Each such designation shall revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form prescribed by the Company, and will be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant’s lifetime. If a beneficiary designation has not been made, or the beneficiary was not properly designated (in the sole discretion of the Committee), has died or cannot be found, all payments after death shall be paid to the Participant’s estate. In case of disputes over the proper beneficiary, the Company reserves the right to make any or all payments to the Participant’s estate.

Article 12. Deferrals

     The Committee may permit or require a Participant to defer such Participant’s receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant by virtue of the exercise of an Option or SAR, the lapse or waiver of restrictions with respect to Restricted Stock, or the satisfaction of any requirements or goals with respect to Performance Units/Shares and Cash-Based Awards. If any such deferral election is required or permitted, the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, establish rules and procedures for such payment deferrals.

Article 13. Rights of Employees/Directors

     13.1 Employment. Nothing in the Plan shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the Company’s employ, or as a Director, or interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company to terminate any Participant’s employment or directorship at any time.

     13.2 Participation. No Employee or Director shall have the right to be selected to receive an Award under this Plan, or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive a future Award.

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     13.3 Rights as a Stockholder. Except as provided in Sections 8.5, 8.6 and 9.5, a Participant shall have none of the rights of a shareholder with respect to shares of Common Stock covered by any Award until the Participant becomes the record holder of such shares.

Article 14. Termination of Employment/Directorship

     Each Participant’s Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to such Participant’s outstanding Award(s) following termination of the Participant’s employment or directorship with the Company. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, shall be included in the Award Agreements entered into with each Participant, need not be uniform among all Awards issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination.

Article 15. Change in Control

     15.1 Treatment of Outstanding Awards Other than Cash-Based Awards. In the event of a Change in Control, unless otherwise specifically prohibited under applicable laws, or by the rules and regulations of any governing governmental agencies or national securities exchanges, or unless the Board shall determine otherwise in the Award Agreement:

     15.2 Treatment of Cash-Based Awards. Any outstanding Cash-Based Awards shall not accelerate or vest as a result of a Change in Control. The extent to which any outstanding Cash-Based Awards are impacted by a Change in Control shall be governed by the Company’s Transitional Compensation Plan, as the same may be amended from time to time.

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15.3 Limitation on Acceleration.

     15.4 Limitation on Payment. Notwithstanding Section 15.1, if Limited Vesting applies then the amount paid on exercise or payment of an Award shall not exceed the largest amount that can be paid without causing an excise tax to be payable by the Participant under Section 4999 of the Code. If payments are so limited, awards shall be deemed paid in the following order:

          As among awards or portions of awards of the same type, those vesting at the most distant time in the future (absent a Change in Control) shall be deemed paid first.

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     15.5 Expenses. The Company shall pay all legal fees, court costs, fees of experts and other costs and expenses when incurred by a Participant in connection with any actual, threatened or contemplated litigation or legal, administrative or other proceeding involving the provisions of Section 15.4, whether or not initiated by the Participant.

     15.6 Termination, Amendment, and Modifications of Change-in-Control Provisions. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or any Award Agreement provision, the provisions of this Article 15 may not be terminated, amended, or modified on or after the date of a Change in Control to affect adversely any Award theretofore granted under the Plan without the prior written consent of the Participant with respect to said Participant’s outstanding Awards; provided, however, the Committee may terminate, amend, or modify this Article 15 at any time and from time to time prior to the date of a Change in Control.

Article 16. Amendment, Modification, and Termination

     16.1 Amendment, Modification, and Termination. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee or the Board may at any time and from time to time, alter, amend, suspend, or terminate the Plan in whole or in part.

     16.2 Awards Previously Granted. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no termination, amendment, or modification of the Plan shall adversely affect in any material way any Award previously granted under the Plan, without the written consent of the Participant holding such Award.

     16.3 Shareholder Approval Required for Certain Amendments. Shareholder approval will be required for any amendment of the Plan that does any of the following: (a) permits the grant of any Option with an Option Price less than the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant; or (b) reduces the Option Price of an outstanding Option, either by lowering the Option Price or by canceling an outstanding Option and granting a replacement Option with a lower exercise price.

     16.4 Compliance with Code Section 162(m). At all times when Code Section 162(m) is applicable, to the extent the Committee so determines, all Awards granted under this Plan to Employees who are or could reasonably become Covered Employees as determined by the Committee shall comply with the requirements of Code Section 162(m). In addition, if changes are made to Code Section 162(m) to permit greater flexibility with respect to any Award or Awards available under the Plan, the Committee may, subject to this Article 16, make any adjustments it deems appropriate.

Article 17. Withholding

     17.1 Tax Withholding. The Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy the Federal statutory minimum, state, and local taxes, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of this Plan. The Participant may satisfy, totally or in part, his obligations pursuant to this Section 17.1 by electing to have Shares withheld, to redeliver Shares acquired under an Award, or to deliver previously owned Shares, provided that the

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election is made in writing on or prior to (i) the date of exercise, in the case of Options and SAR’s (ii) the date of payment, in respect of Performance Units/Shares, or Cash-Based Awards, and (iii) the expiration of the incentive period, in respect of Restricted Stock. Any election made under this Section 17.1 shall be irrevocable by the Participant and may be disapproved by the Committee at any time in its sole discretion. If an election is disapproved by the Committee, the Participant must satisfy his obligations pursuant to this paragraph in cash.

Article 18. Successors

     All obligations of the Company under the Plan with respect to Awards granted hereunder shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business, stock and/or assets of the Company.

Article 19. General Provisions

     19.1 Gender and Number. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.

     19.2 Severability. If any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.

     19.3 Requirements of Law. The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.

     19.4 Securities Law Compliance. With respect to Insiders, transactions under this Plan are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3 or its successors under the Exchange Act, unless determined otherwise by the Board. To the extent any provision of the Plan or action by the Committee fails to so comply, it shall be deemed null and void, to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Board.

     19.5 Listing. The Company may use reasonable endeavors to register Shares allotted pursuant to the exercise of an Option with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or to effect compliance with the registration, qualification, and listing requirements of any national securities laws, stock exchange, or automated quotation system.

     19.6 Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

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     19.7 No Additional Rights. Neither the Award nor any benefits arising under this Plan shall constitute part of an employment contract between the Participant and the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, and accordingly, subject to Section 16.2, this Plan and the benefits hereunder may be terminated at any time in the sole and exclusive discretion of the Committee without giving rise to liability on the part of the Company or any Affiliate for severance payments.

     19.8 Employees Based Outside of the United States. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, to comply with provisions of laws in other countries in which the Company, its Affiliates, and its Subsidiaries operate or have Employees, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to:

     19.9 Uncertificated Shares. To the extent that the Plan provides for issuance of certificates to reflect the transfer of Shares, the transfer of such Shares may be effected on a noncertificated basis, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange.

     19.10 Governing Law. The Plan and each Award Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of the Plan to the substantive law of another jurisdiction. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, recipients of an Award under the Plan are deemed to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the federal or state courts located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, County of Fairfax, to resolve any and all issues that may arise out of or relate to the Plan or any related Award Agreement.

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Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Accountants

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated February 2, 2004 relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedules of Gannett Co., Inc., which appears in Gannett Co., Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2003.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

McLean, Virginia
May 4, 2004