The figure is below the 6% growth rate achieved in the first half, but the board said that the outlook was good for another year of growth in 2005.
In August, the company, which owns the Yorkshire Post and Sheffield Star, reported first-half profits of £77.3m, up 16%.
For the current trading period, newspaper sales revenues grew over the period due to the performance of the weekly titles with their ninth successive year of circulation increases. However, daily title circulation remained in decline, "in part reflecting a further reduction in bulk sales".
The advertising breakdown showed that growth in property advertising increased compared with the first half. The rate of growth in employment and display advertising slowed, and motor advertising contracted slightly. Classified advertising grew at a similar rate to the first half.
Shares in Johnston Press were up 2.89% to 534p after the announcement.
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