To publish or to have published

[Abusaad]

It was inappropriate for the Sunday Times to have published (or to publish) the news story relating to ..............

[Casiopea]

It was inappropriate for the Sunday Times to have published (or to publish) the news story relating to ..............

Both are fine in that context. The present perfect expresses a continuum, starting at some unknown time in the past and going all the way up to now, this very moment. In other words, that the Times published the news story is still present in our thoughts.

[Abusaad]

Thank you Casiopea.


Does this mean, "to publish" would be better if the story is of recent date?
It was inappropriate for the Sunday Times to publish the news story relating to ............. in its issue of December 24.

regards

[Casiopea]

Thank you Casiopea.


Does this mean, "to publish" would be better if the story is of recent date?
It was inappropriate for the Sunday Times to publish the news story relating to ............. in its issue of December 24.

regards

Well, in that case it's the date that makes it more recent. The present perfect, though, makes it recent on its own.