EX-5 3 l99832aexv5.txt EX-5 OPINION OF BAKER & HOSTETLER LLP Exhibit 5 --------- BAKER & HOSTETLER LLP --------- COUNSELLORS AT LAW -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Suite 3200 312 Walnut Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-4074 (513) 929-3400 FAX (513) 929-0303 March 25, 2003 The E.W. Scripps Company The Edward W. Scripps Trust 312 Walnut Street, 28th Floor 312 Walnut Street, 28th Floor Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Gentlemen: As counsel for The E.W. Scripps Company (the "Company") and The Edward W. Scripps Trust (the "Scripps Trust"), we are familiar with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") filed on the date hereof by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to 7,000,000 Class A Common Shares, $.01 par value (the "Shares") of the Company. In connection with the foregoing, we have examined such records of the corporate proceedings of the Company and such other documents as we deemed necessary to render this opinion. Based upon such examination, we are of the opinion that: 1. The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Ohio. 2. The Shares have been duly authorized and are now, and when sold in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement will be, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the caption "Legal Matters" in the prospectus which is a part of the Registration Statement. Very truly yours, /s/ Baker & Hostetler LLP Baker & Hostetler LLP