Contact us
About us
The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia's most prestigious daily newspaper, is published on the Web after midnight from Monday to Saturday. On Sunday, news and features are added from The Sun-Herald. The site is also updated throughout the day, seven days a week, as news breaks.
Getting in touch
We value our readers and welcome your thoughts and feedback. If you cannot find the answer to your question in our Frequently Asked Questions, please send comments, questions and requests through one of the options below so they can be directed to the appropriate department. If you are looking for something specific on the website, you may want to look through our Site Guide , or use the search box in the top righthand corner of every page.
Contacts
Editorial/Site feedback Registration issues? News inquiries: Switch: Address: Postal address: | Print Advertising: Online Advertising Print classifieds: Online classifieds Photo Sales: The Sydney Morning Herald Store inquiries: Subscriptions: |
Frequently asked questions
General
Q - I have an inquiry about Home Delivery
Q - I have an inquiry about classified advertising
Q - I have an inquiry about advertising
Q - Are journalists and/or editors available to speak at conferences or seminars?
Technical
Q - Why is the PDF version of the frontpage blank?
Q - Why do I get an old version of the site?
Registration
Q - I'm having problems registering on the SMH
Story Archives
Q - How can I obtain an archival copy of The Sydney Morning Herald?
Q - Can I purchase photos that appeared in the paper?
Q - Can I get a back copy of The Sydney Morning Herald?
Editorial
Q - How can I send a Letter to the Editor? (Print edition)
Q - How can I send an item to RSVP? (Print edition)
Q - How do I contact Column 8?
Q - I want to submit an article to "The Heckler".
Q - Can I send a press release via email?
Q - I have a news tip.
Q - How can I obtain permission to reproduce text, graphics, tables, illustrations or cartoons published in The Sydney Morning Herald?
Q - How can I send feedback about the editorial content of The Sydney Morning Herald?
Crosswords & Puzzles - Premium Membership
Q - Where is the crossword? I cannot see anything
Q - I can see the crossword, but it doesn’t seem to look right
Q - I have Acrobat Reader, but the crossword still doesn’t print correctly
Q - Which crosswords can I print?
Q - Can I play a crossword without being connected to the internet?
Q - Can I save a crossword to finish later? How long will it be saved online?
Q - What is Fairfax Digital membership about?
Q - What is the refund policy for Premium Membership?
Q - Will my Premium Membership subscription automatically renew?
Q - Top Ten Puzzlers, what is this about?
Quick and Cryptic Crosswords
Q - How can I save a Quick or Cryptic Crossword?
Q - Where are the archived Quick and Cryptic Crosswords?
Multimedia (Audio and Video)
Q - When I click on a multimedia link nothing happens, why?
Advertising
Q - Why am I getting random pop-up advertising when I return to my default home page?
Q - How can I obtain an archival copy of The Sydney Morning Herald?
A - Front pages of The Sydney Morning Herald from 1945 are available for purchase online at www.fairfaxfrontpages.com. The pages are printed on archival quality photographic paper that is guaranteed to last a lifetime. They make great commemorative gifts for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries and births. Framing is also available. Dates prior to 1945 and other pages are available by contacting Fairfax. E-mail fairfaxfrontpages@fairfax.com.au or Tel 1300 136 466.
Q - Can I purchase photos that appeared in the paper?
A - Available photos are on our website, updated daily www.fairfaxphotos.com. Email fairfaxphotos@fairfax.com.au or call 1300 136 466
Q - Can I get a back copy of The Sydney Morning Herald?
A - Readers can purchase copies of the Herald from the last seven days from the Fairfax Retail Shop on Sussex Street by calling (02) 9282 3801.
Fairfax provides State Libraries with copies of our papers for use by the public. The libraries also archive publications on microfilm, CD-ROM and online. Limited research and document delivery services are also available for a nominal fee. Contact details are:
State Library of New South Wales | State Library of Victoria |
Macquarie Street, Sydney 2000 | 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne 3000 |
Tel: (02) 9273 1414 | Tel: (03) 8664 7000 |
Fax: (02) 9273 1255 | Fax: (03) 9639 3673 |
For other State Libraries, please check your local white pages.
For more information on Fairfax CD-ROMS and Microfilm visit www.quarterlies.com.au, email info@quarterlies.com.au or call 1800 251 949.
Q - Are journalists and/or editors available to speak at conferences or seminars?
A - Fairfax Communicators has been established to handle the huge demand for our journalists and senior management to perform at speaking engagements.
Fairfax Communicators have speakers and MCs for conferences, conventions, presentations, dinners, luncheons, sales meetings, seminars, staff training and product launches. They can travel throughout Australia and internationally.
Our speakers are experts in their field and our topics reflect the diversity of our publications. Following are just some of the areas covered by our speakers
* Asia - economics and politics * Best practice * Business outlook * Business/finance * e-commerce/e-business * Education * Government policy affairs * Health * Human resources * Industrial Relations * Information Technology * Legal issues/public affairs * Marketing/advertising * Media trends * Science * Social trends * Sport * Women in business
For more information:
Web: http://www.fairfaxcommunicators.com
Phone: 1800 240 241
Email: fairfax@speakerseeker.com
Q - How can I send a Letter to the Editor? (Print edition)
A - The Sydney Morning Herald receives over 400 emails each day as well as faxes and snail mail for Letters to the Editor. This makes it impossible to reply to all correspondence. The Letters Editor can only publish 35 - 40 letters on the page. All letters and email (no attachments) to the Herald must carry the sender's home address and day and evening telephone numbers for verification. Ideally, letters will be a maximum of 200 words. By submitting your letter for publication, you agree that we may edit the letter for legal or space reasons and may, after publication in the newspaper, republish it on the internet or other media.
Email: letters@smh.com.au
Mail: GPO Box 3771, Sydney NSW 2001
Fax: (02) 9282 3492
Q - How can I send an item to RSVP? (Print edition)
A - RSVP publishes reunions, genealogical information and meetings of interest on the letters page, Monday to Friday, and on the weather page in the Weekend Herald. A number of items are received daily, and space restricts those published each week. Submit yours early, be brief and provide contact details.
Email: rsvp@smh.com.au
Mail: GPO Box 3771, Sydney NSW 2001
Fax: (02) 9282 3492
Q - How do I contact Column 8? What is suitable?
A - We like most of our items to provide entertainment, a laugh, and information. Occasionally we will get serious if there's a sad story to tell about a sad street character or a well-loved person. We will help a charity, especially if there is a ``peg'' on which to hang a story. We (try to) answer life's little mysteries. We will run items about well-known people if they reveal a new side to their nature. Now that email is popular, we like to hear from Australians overseas.
Column 8,
GPO Box 506,
Sydney 2001
Phone: 02 9282 2207
Fax: 02 9282 2772.
Email: column8@smh.com.au(no attachments)
Make sure you provide your name, home suburb or town, a daytime phone number and, if you have it, email address. Over 100 communications a day are received from a variety or sources. Only 6 - 8 items can be published in a column. Some items are kept for publication at a later date. Emails receive an automated response.
Q - I want to submit an article to "The Heckler".
A - "The Heckler" is a column appearing on the back page of the news section. In it readers are invited to apply their wit to anything that makes their blood boil. Send 500 words, with your contact details, to heckler@smh.com.auor GPO Box 506, Sydney, 2001. Submissions may be edited and may also be published on the internet.
Q - Can I send a press release via email?
A - You may send press releases about general news issues and upcoming events to newsdesk@smh.com.au. You may also fax general news press releases to 02 9282 3253. On all press releases make sure to do the following:
- Keep all releases short
- Write clearly, addressing who, what, where, why or when in the first two paragraphs.
- Identify the organisation or individual sending the release and include the name and daytime phone number (with area code) of someone we can contact if we have questions
Q - I have a news tip
A - If you have a story or tip relating to crime, email .
For other news tips you think the Herald could investigate, email .
Q - How can I obtain permission to reproduce text, graphics, tables, illustrations or cartoons published in The Sydney Morning Herald?
A - Reproduction includes use of material in newsletters, books, wedding invitations, websites, CD-ROMs, advertising and on leaflets. If you would like to reproduce text, graphics or tables, you will need to obtain permission from The Sydney Morning Herald copyright department. Requests can be sent to:
The Sydney Morning Herald Copyright Department
P.O. Box 506
Sydney NSW 2001
Fax: (02) 9282 2772
Email: smhcopyright@smh.com.au(no attachments) for text; photosales@smh.com.au (no attachments) for graphics, tables, illustrations, cartoons and photographs.
Illustrations and cartoons remain the property of the artist. If you would like to purchase an original or use an image, contact the relevant artist. Call Switch on (02) 9282 2822.
Q - How can I send feedback about the editorial content of The Sydney Morning Herald?
A - The Sydney Morning Herald is committed to presenting information fairly and accurately and welcomes comments, suggestions and information about errors that call for corrections. The Herald's Managing editor, Sam North, deals with corrections, adjudicates on complaints from readers and represents the paper at the Australian Press Council. Assisting him in this role is ReaderLink, the Herald's reader services department. ReaderLink answers inquiries, investigates possible inaccuracies and acts on complaints relating to the editorial content of the paper, and assists communication between the Herald’s readers and journalists.
Sam North and ReaderLink function in a similar capacity for The Sun-Herald.
If you would like to make a complaint or point out an error, please note details of the article such as date, author, headline and URL, and contact ReaderLink.
The Sydney Morning Herald code of ethics can be found at http://www.smh.com.au/ethicscode/index.html.
Links are also provided to the Media Alliance code of ethics and the Australian Press Council.
Contacting ReaderLink and Sam North
Email:
Tel 02 9282 1569
Fax 02 9282 3253
ReaderLink
GPO Box 506
Sydney NSW 2001
Q - Where is the crossword? I cannot see anything
A - The crossword software uses the java language. If you cannot see the crossword, then the Java software is probably not present or working properly on your computer.
For a free download of the latest version of java, please see below.
For Windows (except Windows 95):
http://www.java.com/en/ (click 'get it now')
For Windows 95:
http://www.java.com/en/download/help/win95.jsp
Java is already installed on an Apple Macintosh with OS X. Puzzlers using a Mac with OS 8 or 9, can download the free plug-in (MRJ 2.2.5) from:
http://developer.apple.com/java/classic.html
Java for systems not mentioned above, can be found via this page:
http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp
Q - I can see the crossword, but it doesn’t seem to look right
A - The crossword software has been thoroughly tested on PC's and Mac's, old and new. If you are experiencing difficulties, it may be due to java-related bugs in your browser.
This can be fixed by installing the latest version of java on your computer. Downloading is free and installing easy (see the above question for instructions).
Q - I have Acrobat Reader, but the crossword still doesn’t print correctly
A - Your computer probably does not know it should use Acrobat Reader or Adobe Reader for opening PDF files. Save the file to your desktop and then:
On PCs: click on the file with the right button of your mouse while pressing the shift-key. Then select "Open with..." Look up Acrobat Reader in the list and check the box telling your computer to always open PDF files with Acrobat Reader. Then click OK.
On Macs: click on the file while pressing the ctrl-key. Then select "Open with...", select Acrobat Reader and check the box telling your computer to always open PDF files with Acrobat Reader.
Q - Which crosswords can I print?
A - You can print the following crosswords (and their solutions) to play offline
- Quick Crossword - The Age
- Expert Crossword (archived crosswords only)
- General Knowledge Crossword
- Trivia Giant Crossword
- The Australian Financial Review Crossword
- Genius Crossword (archived crosswords only)
Quick and Cryptic crosswords from The Sydney Morning Herald can be printed once they are archived. These crosswords are archived every 6 months.
Q - Can I play a crossword without being connected to the internet?
A - Once you have selected the crossword puzzle and it is displayed on your computer screen, you can disconnect from the Internet and continue playing. You must be connected to the Internet, to save a crossword, open a previously saved crossword, or print a crossword. Remember, you can also print some crosswords so that you can play them offline. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to print crosswords (Download it for free at the Adobe website).
Q - Can I save a crossword to finish later? How long will it be saved online?
A - You can save a partially completed crossword to finish later. You will need to be online when you save your crossword. Press the "save" button and follow the simple steps to save your crossword.
Your saved crosswords are stored in our website for fourteen (14) days.
To open your saved crossword
- click on the link where you saved the crossword (for example, Trivia Giant or General Knowledge)
- press the 'open' button and follow the simple steps to retrieve your saved crossword Remember, you can also save a printable version of the crossword on your computer. Use the print button at the top right, you can then save the PDF file of the crossword on your own computer.
Q - What is Fairfax Digital membership about?
A - The Sydney Morning Herald website is part of the Fairfax Digital Network. Membership for Fairfax Digital is free and gives you access to other member benefits. You may already be a member of Fairfax Digital, if you have used member services (such as entering competitions or subscribing to newsletters and alerts) at these websites
- The Sydney Morning Herald website (smh.com.au)
- The Age website (theage.com.au)
- My Career website (mycareer.com.au)
- Domain website (domain.com.au)
- The Australian Financial Review website (afr.com)
- Trading Room website (tradingroom.com.au)
- Money Manager website (moneymanager.com.au)
Q - What is the refund policy for Premium Membership?
A - Fairfax Digital does not refund monies for Crosswords & Puzzles - Premium Membership purchases. To avoid any disappointment, please try a sample crossword to ensure that you have the required software and that you are pleased with the type of crossword you are purchasing. Go to the full Premium Membership details page, to try a sample crossword and find out more about the software you require. If you experience any difficulties when making your purchase, please contact us.
Q - Will my Premium Membership subscription automatically renew?
A - Your subscription to Crosswords & Puzzles - Premium Membership will not automatically renew. Two weeks before your yearly subscription is about to end, we will contact you by email to give you the option to renew. Please ensure that we have your most up-to-date email address. Update your email details at your Fairfax Digital member page.
Q - Top Ten Puzzlers, what is this about?
A - You may be listed in one of the Top Ten Puzzlers list, when you have successfully completed and submitted your solution for this week’s Expert or this month’s Genius crosswords (using the Play against the clock mode) There are two Top Ten Puzzlers lists, one for each of the current Expert and Genius crosswords.
The Top Ten Puzzlers list shows
- Recent puzzlers - these are the ten Premium Members who most recently solved the current (Expert or Genius) crossword
- First puzzlers - these are the first ten Premium Members who completed and submitted the current (Expert or Genius) crossword correctly.
- Fastest puzzlers - The Fastest list displays the solving times of the ten Premium Members who most quickly complete and submit the current (Expert or Genius) crossword.
A new Genius Crossword is published online at 6 am, every first Monday of the month.
Note: The Expert and Genius 'Play against the clock' crosswords and the Top Ten Puzzlers services are strictly for fun, and should not be seen as an authoritative index.
Q - How can I save a Quick or Cryptic Crossword?
A - If you are a subscriber to Crosswords & Puzzles - Premium Membership service, you will be able to save a partially completed crossword and print crosswords for offline play. As a Premium Member, you will also have exclusive access to over 1000 crosswords in our archives and ten new crosswords each week. You will be able to save today’s Quick and Cryptic crosswords from The Sydney Morning Herald once they are part of our archived collection. Subscribe now to our Crosswords & Puzzles - Premium Membership. Read full details of what Premium Membership includes.
Q - Where are the archived Quick and Cryptic crosswords?
A - If you are a subscriber to Crosswords & Puzzles - Premium Membership service, you will be able to play and solve all our archived crosswords. As a Premium Member, you will have exclusive access to over 1000 crosswords in our archives and ten new crosswords each week. Subscribe now to our Crosswords & Puzzles - Premium Membership. Read full details of what Premium Membership includes.
Q - When I click on a multimedia link nothing happens, why?
A - You may have ad-blocking software installed. Several packages can prevent pop-up windows from appearing (among them are Google's toolbar, Firewall software, and a new plugin for Norton antivirus). You will need to disable ad-blocking, or turn the sensitivity down.
Q - Why is the PDF version of the frontpage blank?
A - There are some combinations of browser and Adobe Acrobat that can make the PDF appear blank. Assuming you are using IE and Windows try this: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q177321. The quickest solution is to upgrade your Acrobat reader.
Q - Why do I get an old version of the site?
A - This problem is most likely related to the caching of the out-of-date page at either your PC level or your ISP level. The best way around that is to hold down the control (ctrl) key and press refresh/reload. This will reload the newest version of the page from our servers.
Q - Why am I getting random pop-up advertising when I return to my default home page?
A - In nearly all cases such advertisements are not supplied by smh.com.au.
Occasionally, our sites will serve a pop-under box on the front page only for the purposes of promoting features in our sites or newspapers. Pop-ups will also appear from time to time on sub-indexes of the site for recognised and reputable Australian advertisers.
However, if you get a lot of unrecognisable advertisements popping up on visiting our sites - especially messages telling you that you have won a prize - you are being spammed.
It is possible that at some point whilst surfing the Internet, you visited a site that downloaded a piece of advertising spam code. You may have seen a grey box asking if you wanted to continue and clicked "yes". By doing this you may have agreed to download a small piece of code to your desktop that will be activated each time you launch your web browser and default home page. This will activate pop-up advertisements from elsewhere on the Web.
Unfortunately these code insertions are not dissimilar to a virus. You will need anti-spyware or outerware, such as Ad-aware to remove this code. Downloads for this software are available here.
