AustraliaOwnership & classification
Founded: 1831
Ownership
The Sydney Morning Herald, founded in 1831 as The Sydney Herald and renamed in 1842 under owner John Fairfax, is the country's oldest continuously published newspaper. Long the flagship of the Fairfax family and later John Fairfax Holdings/Fairfax Media, it has been owned by Nine Entertainment Co. since Fairfax merged into Nine in December 2018. It is Nine's premier print/digital masthead, a sister to The Age and the Australian Financial Review.
Funding
Funded commercially via advertising and a digital subscription paywall; Nine reported over 510,000 combined paying digital subscribers across the SMH, The Age and the AFR, with no state or licence-fee support.
Affiliation & stance
The Herald has a centre to centre-left editorial leaning but operates under Fairfax's inherited charter of editorial independence and is owned by a publicly listed commercial company. With no party, church, union or government control over its ownership, the INDEPENDENT classification is correct.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 767
77/100
Factual
75/100
Objective
1342
Articles
1342
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Lamarre-Condon in damage control after ‘heart eyes’ bouquet post, court told
During the trial of Lamarre-Condon, who is accused of double murder, it was revealed that he had asked his mother to pose with a bouquet after being caught in a lie. The court heard testimony suggesting that this request was part of his attempt to manage the situation and possibly manipulate perceptions of his actions.
Pies likely to launch bold bid for Brownlow Medallist
The article reports that Collingwood Football Club is considering making a significant move to sign Matt Rowell from the Gold Coast Suns ahead of the upcoming season. This potential transfer could impact both teams' strategies and competitiveness in the league.
NSW’s next big thing? A giant pink slug
The article discusses a proposal by a northern New South Wales town to create a large-scale attraction featuring a giant pink slug, inspired by Australia's tradition of oversized roadside attractions such as the Big Banana and the Big Mower. The piece highlights the town's interest in creating a unique local landmark that could draw visitors and boost tourism.
Ikitau gives Wallabies a massive boost as McReight hails Rennie’s tough love
Len Ikitau, an Australian rugby player, has recovered from an injury and is expected to play against New Zealand's All Blacks team. The match will take place at Eden Park, and the opposing coach is the same individual who awarded Ikitau his debut in international matches as a Wallaby. This development is seen as a significant advantage for the Australian team, with some commentators praising the coaching approach that helped Ikitau recover and return to form.
Aguia hits Colombia gold record and breaks even
Aguia Resources achieved a significant milestone by setting a new gold production record in Colombia during September. The company reported revenue of A$218,000, which was sufficient to cover both its local corporate and operating costs for the first time. This development marks a turning point for the company, indicating improved financial performance and operational efficiency in the region. The achievement highlights the potential of Colombia's mining sector and could influence future investment decisions in the area.
Ka Ying Rising trial effort finishes second to punters’ excitement
The article reports on the barrier trial of the world's best racehorse, Ka Ying Rising, ahead of his upcoming Everest defense. The horse, along with his Australian trainer and jockey, was highlighted as the main attraction during the event. The focus of the article is on the performance of the horse and the team supporting him, with no mention of competition results or other participants.
A Russian is dead from suspected plague after a lab accident. Should we be worried?
An article from The Sydney Morning Herald discusses a reported death of a Russian individual from suspected plague following a laboratory accident. The situation remains unclear due to limited available information, with the Kremlin advising against speculation. Russian state-aligned media and local authorities are reportedly removing or altering conflicting reports, contributing to confusion about the incident.
'Heartless': Pro-Palestinian groups criticised for October 7 vigils
Pro-Palestinian organizations have faced criticism for organizing vigils commemorating the third anniversary of Hamas' attacks on Israel, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths. The vigils have drawn accusations of being 'heartless,' suggesting they may be seen as insensitive or inappropriate given the scale of loss. This controversy highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the commemoration of events related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The criticism reflects broader societal debates about how such historical events should be remembered and discussed publicly.
Kangaroos players receive $40k. Every other nation gets $850 a World Cup game. That is set to change
The article highlights the significant disparity in compensation between Australian rugby league players and those from other nations participating in the World Cup. Australian players currently earn $40,000 per tournament, while players from other countries receive $850 per game. This pay gap is expected to be addressed during negotiations for the next collective bargaining agreement.
Lost passengers, parking confusion: Melbourne Airport farewells ’70s-era departures ramp
The article describes the chaotic scene at Melbourne Airport on Tuesday morning as the airport transitioned to a new arrival and departure system. Passengers faced confusion while navigating the changes, with more support staff in high-visibility vests present than travelers. The focus is on the operational challenges during this transition rather than any political controversy.
Coalition promises deep cuts in migration fight with One Nation, Labor
The Australian Coalition has proposed significant reductions in net overseas migration, aiming to limit it to 100,000 people over two years. This plan includes reforms targeting graduate and bridging visas, which are often used by international students and temporary migrants. The proposal comes amid growing political pressure and debate over immigration policies, with the Coalition positioning itself against both One Nation and Labor on this issue. The changes aim to address concerns about population growth, economic pressures, and national identity. These measures reflect a broader strategy to reshape Australia’s migration framework.
TMK smashes gas flow records as Mongolian drilling gears up
TMK Energy has achieved a new gas production record at its Mongolian coal seam gas project. In September, gas flows increased by 8%, and several wells reached new production levels. The project is part of TMK Energy's larger resource base, which holds 1.2 trillion cubic feet of gas. This development indicates growing activity and potential in Mongolia's energy sector.
War is big business, but what about Perth’s small businesses?
The article discusses the tension between large corporations and small businesses, using a local business exhibition in Perth as a case study. It highlights concerns about corporate favoritism and the challenges faced by smaller enterprises in competing within a market dominated by larger entities. The piece frames the issue as a broader economic concern, suggesting that the interests of small businesses may be overlooked in favor of corporate agendas. However, the article stops short of providing specific data or detailed examples beyond the context of the event.