If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Sections 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box.

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Section 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

William Ellery McClatchy hereby amends his statement on Schedule 13D, as originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on February 1, 1990, and as amended, relating to his beneficial ownership of the Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share (the "Class A Common Stock").

No amendment

No amendment.

No amendment.

William Ellery McClatchy serves as one of four co-trustees of five separate trusts established for the benefit of McClatchy family members. On January 3, 2004, the beneficiary of one of the five trusts for the benefit of McClatchy family members died and on March 1, 2004, the shares of Class B Common Stock held by the trust were distributed in equal shares to the four remaining trusts. Each of the five trusts contained 2,500,000 shares of Class B Common Stock. As a result of the distribution from the fifth trust to the four remaining trusts, each of the four trusts now contains 3,125,000 shares of Class B Common Stock. Subject to the terms of the Stockholders' Agreement dated as of September 17, 1987, described in Item 6 below, each holder of Class B Common Stock has the right to convert Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis.

William Ellery McClatchy and the trusts or any of them may, from time to time, increase, reduce or dispose of their respective investments in The McClatchy Company, depending on general economic conditions, economic conditions in the markets in which The McClatchy Company operates, the market price of the Class A Common Stock, the availability of funds, borrowing costs, other opportunities available to William Ellery McClatchy (and/or the trusts), and other considerations.

William Ellery McClatchy did not become co-trustee of the trusts, and does not currently intend to exercise his duties as co-trustee for, the purpose of implementing any plans or proposals which relate to, or would result in, any of the actions specified in clauses (b) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D.

William Ellery McClatchy is a member of the Board of Directors of McClatchy. In his role as a director, William Ellery McClatchy participates in managing the business and affairs of The McClatchy Company and formulating The McClatchy Company's business strategies and the Board of Directors may suggest and, from time to time, implement, plans or proposals which relate to, or would result in, one or more of the actions specified in clauses (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D.

1. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock of The McClatchy Company beneficially owned by William Ellery McClatchy is 12,954,152, which includes 4,500 shares subject to stock options which are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. The percentage of the Class A Common Stock beneficially owned by Gary Pruitt is approximately 39.3, based on a total of 19,989,944 shares of Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding as of March 22, 2004, as contained in the most recently available filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of The McClatchy Company. As of March 22, 2004, a total of 26,339,147 shares of Class B Common Stock were issued and outstanding.
2. The number of shares of Common Stock as to which William Ellery McClatchy has:
1. Sole power to vote or direct the vote: 4,625 of Class A Common Stock;
2. Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 12,949,527 of Class B Common Stock;
3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of: 4,625 of Class A Common Stock;
4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of: 12,949,527 of Class B Common Stock.

The following information applies to those persons with whom the power to vote, direct the vote, dispose of or direct the disposition of is shared:

1. Name: William K. Coblentz
2. Residence or business address: One Ferry Building, Suite 200, San Francisco, California 94111.
3. Present principal occupation or employment and the name, principal business and address of any corporation or other organization in which such employment is conducted: William K. Coblentz is an attorney at law and senior partner in the law firm (professional corporation) of Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass, with offices located at One Ferry Building, Suite 200, San Francisco, California 94111.
4. During the last five years, William K. Coblentz has not been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).
5. During the last five years, William K. Coblentz has not been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction resulting in a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
6. Citizenship: United States.

1. Name: James B. McClatchy
2. Residence or business address: The McClatchy Company, 2100 Q Street, Sacramento, California 95816.
3. Present principal occupation or employment and the name, principal business and address of any corporation or other organization in which such employment is conducted: Publisher of The McClatchy Company, with principal executive offices at 2100 Q Street, Sacramento, California 95816.
4. During the last five years, James B. McClatchy has not been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).
5. During the last five years, James B. McClatchy has not been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction resulting in a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
6. Citizenship: United States.
3. None.
4. Only those persons identified in Item 5(b) above.
5. Not applicable.

The holders of shares of Class B Common Stock are parties to an agreement, the intent of which is to preserve control of the company by the McClatchy family. Under the terms of the agreement, the Class B shareholders have agreed to restrict the transfer of any shares of Class B Common Stock to one or more "Permitted Transferees," subject to certain exceptions. A "Permitted Transferee" is any current holder of shares of Class B Common Stock of McClatchy; any lineal descendant of Charles K. McClatchy; or a trust for the exclusive benefit of, or in which all of the remainder beneficial interests are owned by, one or more of lineal descendants of Charles K. McClatchy. Subject to the terms of the agreement, each holder of shares of Class B Common Stock has the right to convert Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis.

In the event that a Class B shareholder attempts to transfer any shares of Class B Common Stock in violation of the agreement, or upon the happening of certain other events enumerated in the agreement as "Option Events," each of the remaining Class B shareholders has an option to purchase a percentage of the total number of shares of Class B Common Stock proposed to be transferred equal to such remaining Class B shareholder's ownership percentage of the total number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock. If all the shares proposed to be transferred are not purchased by the remaining Class B shareholders, McClatchy has the option of purchasing the remaining shares. In general, any shares not purchased under this procedure will be converted into shares of Class A Common Stock and then transferred freely (unless, following conversion, the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock would constitute less than 25% of the total number of all outstanding shares of common stock of McClatchy). The agreement can be terminated by the vote of the holders of 80% of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock who are subject to the agreement. The agreement will terminate on September 17, 2047, unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms.

In accordance with The McClatchy Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Class A shareholders have the right, voting as a separate class, to elect that number of directors constituting 25% (or the nearest larger whole number) of the total number of members of the board of directors and to remove any director elected by the Class A shareholders. On all matters other than the election and removal of directors, each share of Class A Common Stock entitles the holder to one-tenth (1/10) of a vote. Class B shareholders have the right, voting as a separate class, to elect that number of directors not elected by the Class A shareholders and to remove any director elected by the Class B shareholders. On all matters other than the election and removal of directors, each share of Class B Common Stock entitles the holder to one vote.

Except as may be contemplated by the Stockholders' Agreement dated as of September 17, 1987, described above, a copy of which has been made publicly available as Exhibit 10.12 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed by McClatchy Newspapers, Inc. on January 26, 1988 (Registration No. 3-17270), and except for the contracts, arrangements, understandings and relationships described elsewhere in this Statement, Gary Pruitt is not a party to any contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships with respect to any securities of The McClatchy Company, including, but not limited to, the transfer or voting of any of the securities of The McClatchy Company, finder's fees, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of profits, division of profits or loss, or the giving or withholding of proxies.

The Stockholders' Agreement dated as of September 17, 1987, which was filed as Exhibit 10.12 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed by McClatchy Newspapers, Inc. on January 26, 1988 (Registration No. 3-17270), is incorporated herein by reference.

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Date: April 6, 2004 /s/ William Ellery McClatchy