The group, the fourth-largest local and regional newspaper publisher in the UK, reported a 14% rise in first-half profits before exceptional items to £40.2m from £35.2m last time.
The group also reported a small increase in advertising revenue, which was up 3.2%. It is believed to have performed well partly because of its reliance on local and not national advertising revenue.
The results beat City expectations and compare well with rival groups, which have witnessed falling profits and declining advertising revenues.
Johnston owns newspapers across the UK from the Falkirk Herald in central Scotland to the Eastbourne Herald on the English south coast.
Tim Bowdler, chief executive at Johnston Press, said, "We have made a satisfactory start to the second half, with continued modest revenue growth and costs remaining under close control. Given the uncertain market outlook and the clear evidence of a slowdown in the economy as a whole, we have taken steps to ensure that our businesses are in good shape to accommodate any downward pressure on revenues."