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submitting letters to the editor
You can post, fax and email your letters to the editor. You should, however, refrain from including attachments. Here are some quick links to submitting letters to the editor:
The Age
Post: Letter to the Editor
PO Box 257C
City Mail Processing Centre
MELBOURNE VIC 8000
Fax: (03) 9601 2414
Email The Age
The Australian
Post: Letter to the Editor
The Australian
GPO Box 4245
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Fax: (02) 9288 2250
Email The Australian
If you wish to comment on a story that appears in The Australian or start a debate on an important issue, send an email (without attachments) to The Forum
Australian Financial Review
Post: Letter to the Editor
AFR – Fairfax Business Media
GPO Box 55
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Fax: (02) 9282 3137
Email the Australian Financial Review
The Herald Sun
The Editor
The Herald Sun
PO Box 14999
MELBOURNE VIC 8001
Fax: (03) 9292 2112
Email: The Herald Sun has an online letter to the editor template. Email the Herald Sun
Leader News
Letters should be sent to the relevant Leader News that ran the article, opinion or letter you wish to respond to. For individual office addresses, fax numbers and email addresses, visit The Leader News website for office details.
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Guidelines on writing a Letter to the editor
- Before you begin writing your letter to the editor, research the topic you wish to write about. Read original articles, opinions and letters published in the media. Do not respond to hearsay. You should respond in a timely fashion while the topic is still fresh in people’s minds.
- What are your objectives? What do you want to convey in your letter? Why are you responding to this topic? Try to stick to the facts. Personal experience can be used effectively but do not become emotional.
- List your key messages but do not go overboard. Three to five short key points are sufficient. Keep your sentences to a minimum so your meaning is not lost.
- Always sign letters to the editor. Newspapers may need to verify information, so it is important to include your full name, address, a contact telephone number and your email.
- If you are using a sample letter, make sure you personalise it to suit the topic you are writing about.
- Follow the newspaper’s guidelines. If there are no formal guidelines then have a look at other letters to the editor to get a feel for the newspaper’s preferred style.
- Knowing your audience may help get your letter to the editor published. Adopt the same length and style of writing your targeted newspaper uses.
- Remember to include appropriate references if your letter refers to an article, opinion or letter previously published.
- Check all your facts before submitting your letter.
- Be clear and succinct.
- Expect changes to your published letter. Letters can and will be edited for such things as grammar, expression, repetition and length.
- Letters which are sexist, racist or defamatory in anyway will not be published. Additionally, note that newspapers are not obligated to publish letters based on personal grievances.
- Encourage others who feel strongly about independent schooling to also write letters to the editor. More letters means more awareness for the independent school sector.
- Do not be discouraged if your first few letters don’t get published. Newspapers receive more letters than they can print. Letters most commonly published are those that have bearing to current issues.
For further information, contact Independent School Parents on: enquiries@independentschoolparents.com.au
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