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Submission Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in contributing to The Riverine Grazier. As your trusted local newspaper serving our community, we strive to maintain the highest standards of journalism while respecting privacy and security considerations. Please review these guidelines before submitting content.

GENERAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Accepted Content Types

  • News articles
  • Opinion pieces and editorials
  • Letters to the editor
  • Community announcements
  • Photographs and images
  • Feature stories
  • Event Coverage
  • Obituaries and life celebrations

Format Requirements

  • Text submissions: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx), Google Docs (shared link), or plain text (.txt)
  • Images: JPEG or PNG format, minimum 300 DPI resolution
  • Video: MP4 format (for online publication)
  • Audio: MP3 format (for online publication)

Length Guidelines

  • News stories: 300-800 words
  • Feature articles: 800-1500 words
  • Letters to the editor: Maximum 250 words
  • Sports Reports: 300-600 words
  • Obituaries: Maximum 1000 words
  • Community notices: Maximum 150 words

Submission Process

  1. Email your submission to submissions@riverinegrazier.com.au
  2. Include your full name, contact details, and category of submission in the email subject line
  3. For photographs, include caption information and photographer credit
  4. Submissions must meet our deadline: 10am Monday for the Wednesday edition

EDITORIAL POLICY

Content Standards

  • All facts must be accurate and verifiable
  • Opinion pieces must be clearly identified as such
  • Content must not be defamatory, offensive, or in breach of copyright
  • Sources should be named where possible; anonymous sources will be used only where necessary and with editorial approval

Review Process

All submissions undergo an editorial review process. The Riverine Grazier reserves the right to:

  • Edit submissions for length, clarity, style, and adherence to our guidelines
  • Decline any submission at our discretion
  • Request revisions before publication
  • Reschedule publication due to space restrictions or revisions needed

AUSTRALIAN PRIVACY AND SECURITY GUIDELINES

Privacy Policy Compliance

The Riverine Grazier operates in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). We are committed to:

  • Collecting only necessary personal information
  • Securing all personal information from unauthorised access
  • Using collected information only for the purposes disclosed
  • Allowing individuals access to their personal information upon request

Personal Information in Submissions

When making submissions, please:

  • Obtain consent before including personal information about others
  • Do not include sensitive information such as tax file numbers, Medicare numbers, or financial account details
  • Consider the privacy implications when submitting photographs or stories involving children
  • Be aware that court reporting has specific legal exemptions regarding privacy

Children's Privacy

Special consideration applies to content involving minors (under 18):

  • Parental/guardian consent is required for publishing identifiable images or information about children
  • Avoid publishing detailed information that could identify a child's location, routine, or other potentially sensitive details
  • School submissions must comply with relevant Department of Education privacy policies
  • NB: We do not publish images of children under the age of 13 online (web or social media)

Security Considerations

To protect yourself and others:

  • Do not include full dates of birth, home addresses, or phone numbers in public notices
  • Use only first names or initials when referring to children
  • Consider using general locations rather than specific addresses for events
  • Be cautious when sharing information about travel plans or absences from home

Reporting on Sensitive Matters

When submitting content regarding:

  • Legal proceedings: Be aware of contempt of court and sub judice restrictions
  • Police matters: Avoid identifying victims of certain crimes or juveniles
  • Family court matters: Publication is heavily restricted under the Family Law Act
  • Coronial investigations: Special sensitivity is required
  • By submitting content, you warrant that you own the copyright or have permission to use it.
  • You grant The Riverine Grazier a non-exclusive license to publish your submission in print and online.
  • Photographers retain copyright of their images but grant publication rights.
  • Proper attribution will be provided for all published work

PAYMENT AND CONTRIBUTOR TERMS

  • The Riverine Grazier does not generally pay for community submissions, letters, or notices.
  • Commissioned work will have payment terms agreed upon in advance
  • Regular columnists should contact the editor to discuss arrangements
  • Payment for freelance contributions is made within 30 days of publication

DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDELINES

  • Content may be shared across our website and social media platforms
  • Comments on online content are moderated according to our community standards
  • We may use digital metrics to evaluate and improve our content
  • Social media sharing of our content is encouraged with proper attribution

CONTACT INFORMATION

Editorial Team

The Riverine Grazier
95 Lachlan Street
Hay, NSW 2711

Phone: (02) 6993 1002
Email: submissions@thegrazier.com.au

These guidelines are subject to change. Last updated: April 2025