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Document and Entity Information (USD $)	6 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010	Oct. 06, 2011 Class A Common Stock	Oct. 06, 2011 Class B Common Stock	Oct. 06, 2011 Class C Common Stock
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000783005
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Aug. 31, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-28
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Public Float		$ 48,705,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			33,495,861	4,722,684	0