The Sydney Herald, later the Sydney Morning Herald, first appears

Background. The Sydney Herald was established in 1831 by Ward Stephens, Frederick Stokes, and William McGarvie, former employees of the defunct Sydney Gazette. It is recognized as the oldest continuously published newspaper in Australia. The publication began as a weekly paper before transitioning to daily publication in 1840. Its early editorial stance often reflected the racist attitudes prevalent in the colony during the 1830s.

Early Editorial Stance. During its early years as the Sydney Herald, the newspaper's content frequently mirrored colonial prejudices. In 1836, following the Myall Creek massacre, the paper published a letter defending the killings by white stockmen. The editorial stance contrasted with other newspapers that advocated for the legal protection of Aboriginal Australians as British subjects, instead describing Indigenous inhabitants in derogatory terms.

Ownership and Renaming. The operation was purchased in 1841 by John Fairfax, an Englishman who renamed the publication The Sydney Morning Herald in 1842. Fairfax established editorial principles based on candour, honesty, and honour. The Fairfax family controlled the newspaper for nearly 150 years, significantly influencing its development and its status as a newspaper of record for Australia.