| 
           DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - Results of Operations from Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $) 
        In Thousands, unless otherwise specified  | 
        3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 
           Dec. 31, 2013 
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           Sep. 30, 2013 
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           Jun. 30, 2013 
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           Mar. 31, 2013 
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           Dec. 31, 2012 
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           Sep. 30, 2012 
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           Jun. 30, 2012 
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           Mar. 31, 2012 
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           Dec. 31, 2013 
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           Dec. 31, 2012 
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           Dec. 31, 2013
 
          Discontinued Operations 
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           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Discontinued Operations 
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           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Discontinued Operations 
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| Interest income | $ 42,073 | $ 47,486 | $ 62,824 | $ 61,332 | $ 59,186 | $ 72,947 | $ 77,956 | $ 72,862 | $ 213,715 | $ 282,951 | $ 15,095 | $ 27,508 | $ 1,260 | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 24,119 | 20,555 | 21,998 | 22,710 | 21,886 | 28,411 | 29,462 | 30,165 | 89,382 | 109,924 | 1,591 | ||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | 17,954 | 26,931 | 40,826 | 38,622 | 37,300 | 44,536 | 48,494 | 42,697 | 124,333 | 173,027 | 13,504 | 27,508 | 1,260 | ||||||||||||
| Other Revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advertising income | 38,757 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Circulation income | 16,649 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial printing and other income | 6,231 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rental income | 74,936 | 17,081 | 136 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total other revenues | 61,637 | 136 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Income (Loss) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of investments in excess mortgage servicing rights | 3,894 | 9,023 | 3,894 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of investments in equity method investees | 19,170 | 885 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity income in Local Media Group | 1,870 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity from investments in equity method investees | (97) | 18,286 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income, net - Note 2 | 13,367 | 5,312 | (2,415) | 17,421 | 428 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total other income (loss) | 14,731 | [1] | 6,710 | [1] | 8,090 | [1] | 5,770 | [1] | 4,632 | [1] | 234,008 | [1] | (4,882) | [1] | 28,536 | [1] | 35,301 | [1] | 262,294 | [1] | 22,520 | 17,421 | 428 | ||
| Expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property operating expenses | 21,142 | 15,804 | 8,409 | 8,363 | 7,443 | 5,043 | 232 | 225 | 53,718 | 12,943 | 15 | 26 | 177 | ||||||||||||
| Media operating expenses | 49,092 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 36,775 | 17,247 | 4,004 | 5,735 | 1,086 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 3,845 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | (175) | 1,213 | 1,038 | 1,062 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Expenses | 152,990 | 66,118 | 58,018 | 5,761 | 1,263 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Income from discontinued operations | $ 5,255 | $ (1,341) | $ 25,581 | $ 10,148 | $ 18,461 | $ 10,974 | $ 6,620 | $ 3,113 | $ 39,643 | $ 39,168 | $ 39,643 | $ 39,168 | $ 561 | ||||||||||||
          
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Commercial printing and other income. No definition available. 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Disposal group including discontinued operation other revenues. No definition available. 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Gain (loss) in the change in fair value of investments in excess mortgage servicing rights. No definition available. 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          The difference between the book value and the carrying value of investments in joint ventures and entities in which the reporting entity has an equity ownership interest, generally of 20 to 50 percent, and exercises significant influence. This element refers to the noncash Gain or Loss. No definition available. 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee. No definition available. 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details 
          
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Revenue from the sale of advertising time (such as television and radio) or space (newspaper or magazine pages). May also include advertising, marketing and promotional services rendered during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Other operating costs incurred during the reporting period and may include amounts paid to maintain the property. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Amount of depreciation and amortization attributable to disposal group. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Amount of operating expenses attributable to the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          The aggregate total of expenses of managing and administering the affairs of an entity, including affiliates of the reporting entity, which are not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Amount of income (loss) from a disposal group, net of income tax before extraordinary items allocable to noncontrolling interests. Includes, net of tax, income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Represents the total of interest and dividend income, including any amortization and accretion (as applicable) of discounts and premiums, earned from (1) loans and leases whether held-for-sale or held-in-portfolio; (2) investment securities; (3) federal funds sold; (4) securities purchased under agreements to resell; (5) investments in banker's acceptances, commercial paper, or certificates of deposit; (6) dividend income; or (7) other investments not otherwise specified herein. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          The net amount of operating interest income (expense). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details 
          
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          The aggregate amount of gains or losses resulting from nonoperating activities (for example, interest and dividend revenue, property, plant and equipment impairment loss, and so forth). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Generally recurring costs associated with normal operations except for the portion of these expenses which can be clearly related to production and included in cost of sales or services. Includes selling, general and administrative expense. No definition available. 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details 
          
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          The total amount of revenue recognized for the period from operating leases, including minimum lease revenue, contingent revenue, percentage revenue and sublease revenue. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Other aggregate amounts of gains or losses resulting from nonoperating activities (for example, interest and dividend revenue, property, plant and equipment impairment loss, and so forth.) not otherwise defined. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Revenue from circulation or sale of subscriptions (for example, but not limited to, subscriptions to a magazine or newspaper). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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