Newspaper deadlines vary according to individual newspapers: whether morning or afternoon, a particular edition or a particular section or page of the publication. No matter what the deadline, however, the chances of getting a story run are significantly improved if it is released to the media early in the day.
Editorial meetings are held twice a day - usually from 11.30am to 12.30pm and 4 to 5pm. The editor, day news editor, chief of staff and chief sub-editor usually attend the morning conference to discuss stories and the layout of the paper. The broad focus of the next days paper is largely determined at this meeting.
The editor and/or day news editor, night news editor and chief sub-editor usually attend the afternoon meeting. The function of this meeting is to hand over to the evening team. Decisions as to where major stories will be placed in the paper are made at this meeting.
Wherever possible, a media release should be sent to the journalist/chief of staff by mid-morning (an embargo can be applied if necessary, although it is no guarantee of anything). If it is not possible to send out a release at this early stage, 3pm (soon after the afternoon-evening shift arrives) is the latest time you should consider to be viable.
Another option is to take advantage of the general lack of news on Sundays. At the weekend the media are often looking for news for Mondays paper. Once again, earlier in the day is better.
The letters page tends to have one of the earliest deadlines. If you want to respond to an article, editorial, or other letter do so no later than 12 noon.
Letters should be succinct - no more than 200 words (the shorter the better). They should provide new information, bring new light to an issue or be entertaining.
Newspapers will not run a letter that has already appeared in another paper.
Radio deadlines are hourly. Media releases can be sent early in the morning, any time from 5am. Do not telephone radio newsrooms on the hour. While most have receptionists, journalists are very busy close to the hour when the bulletin goes to air.
Television chiefs of staff are determining stories to be covered for the evening bulletin by about 9.30am. For stronger stories, 12 noon is the deadline for maximising chances of coverage.