This policy only applies to editorial complaints. If your complaint is around an advertisement, please refer to the Advertising Standards Bureau.

News Of The Area (our, us, we) acknowledges and understands that at times readers (you, your) might be unhappy, dissatisfied (or similar) with the content or part thereof within our publications.

We recognise you may want to make a complaint and we support a process whereby this can occur easily and systematically.

 

How to make a complaint

Anyone can make a complaint.

All complaints correspondence, verbal or written, must be respectful, calm and considered.

We reserve the right to disregard complaints and cease communications if you are aggressive, abusive, offensive, threatening (or similar).

In the first instance and informally, you might (but not necessarily) talk with the reporter who wrote the story. If a simple and satisfactory response is not forthcoming then a formal complaint should be made.

In lodging a formal complaint, you would make contact with the editor. You may make a complain in writing to the editor by emailing media@newsofthearea.com.au or by post to PO Box 1000, Raymond Terrace NSW 2324. You may also make a complaint by phone to the editor on (02) 4981 8882.

In making a formal complaint, you need to be clear, with reference to the content you are complaining about. The publication, the publication date, the page number, the headline and the paragraph/s you are complaining about should be communicated. If the content is an online article, then a link to the article should also be communicated.

The complaint should include the specific issue or complaint you have, against wording or paragraph/s used within the article.

Complaints received without relevant information may not be considered.

Complaints received through social media pages may not be considered.

 

Reply to you

Upon receiving a formal complaint, we will acknowledge your complaint within two working days of receipt.

If we accept a complaint is valid, we will resolve any issues surrounding a complaint to the best of our ability within 28 days of receiving all the necessary information in relation to the complaint.

All complainants will be treated fairly, courteously and with respect.

If at any stage during the complaint handling process we do not hear back from you within 14 days, we will consider your complaint satisfied and closed.

 

Assessment and outcomes

After review and consideration, if we find we merit in your complaint will be seeking to resolve the issue as matter of priority.

Typically, such outcomes may be; a correction published (or), a clarification notice published (or), an offer of space for a ‘Letter to the Editor’ to be published (or), an following story on the topic offering a contrary view of the issue (or), an apology notice published.

 

Appeal process

If you are unhappy with our final response to your complaint, you may complain to Australian Press Council (presscouncil.org.au).