Win Without War

Past Actions: 2006 Citizens' Tool Kit on Iraq: Media Guide

Writing Letters to the Editor:

Think before you write. To be effective, a letter to the editor should get a single point across. There may be several reasons WHY you feel the war in Iraq needs to end and the troops need to come home, but in writing a letter to the editor, focus on the strongest argument.
Focus. To increase the likelihood of publication, focus on a timely and newsworthy story or editorial recently published in the paper. Larger papers often will not print "soapbox" letters. If you're responding to something published in the paper, identify it in the first sentence: "In arguing for..., your editorialist..." Your letter should say just one thing, possibly corrects the paper on one fact and cites two others to support your position, and it strongly expresses what you think.
Be brief. It's often helpful to write the first draft too short. Many writers find it easier to add than to cut - and the more work you make for the editor, the less likely your letter will be printed. Most publications will limit letters to the editor to a few hundred words, at the most. Focus is the key to force.
Be timely. Newspapers are in the news business. When you're responding to an article or editorial, try to get your letter in when the original piece is still fresh in the audience's mind.

Crafting an Op-Ed:

Expertise Needed. Op-Eds are opinion-editorial pieces that present an informed view on a newsworthy topic, drawing on the author's insight and expertise, and commenting on timely news or issues. Facts, statistics and anecdotes help to shore up the argument and lend color.
Find an expert. In commenting on larger national issues in your community, the best resource for editorial pieces would be your community leaders, such as a religious leader commenting on the morality of war or a local officials commenting on domestic constraints because of national budget priorities.
Take a stand. Op-Ed editors prefer submissions that are strong in their viewpoint. An op-ed is likely to be published if the stand or opinion is unique, rather than just adding to the chorus of similar viewpoints.
Be concise. Make your position clear from the beginning, keep your sentences short and be sure that your article ends with a forceful conclusion. The average Op-Ed is 800 words.

Calling Talk Radio:

Know the facts. Before calling a talk radio program, go through the Tool Kit's Fact Sheet to study up on facts. You can print or write out your talking points to help you plan what you're going to say before you are on the air.
Call early. Call early in the show so you can be sure to be included in the program.
Keep calling. If the call-in line is busy, just keep redialing the number. You will get through, especially on a local program.
Get to the point. When you get through, be prepared to give the call screener a quick one-sentence summary of what you will say. The more clear and to-the-point you are, the better your chances of getting on air.
Be clear and concise. Sound upbeat and excited to be on the program. Get to your point quickly, and if you're referring to something another person has said, be sure to quickly summarize it for listeners who may not have heard it.

Holding a Press Event:

Win over the media. If you're holding a traditional press event, make sure it's interesting, newsworthy and that you're announcing timely information.
Build a press list. Once you have your hook, look up your local Associated Press bureau, your newspaper, TV and radio affiliates. Call them up, ask to talk to the newsroom and then ask for the best person to call, fax, or email the press advisory to.
Personalize the Media Advisory. Send out an advisory listing the important details of your local event - the who, what, when, where and how - and your contact information so reporters can be in touch. If you'll have a cell phone with you on the day of the event, it's a good idea to put that in there.
Contact the media with the details. Make initial phone calls to the media a few days before the event and let them know that you'll be faxing or emailing over a news advisory. With the TV stations, be sure that they get it on their weekly assignment calendar.
Place follow-up calls the morning of the event.
Send out the Press Release. You will use the press release to highlight the success of the event. In writing your press release, the first paragraph will contain the lead and the hook - the one thing that gets your audience, the media, interested in reading more. It will also explain the five Ws and will summarize the press release, while the following paragraphs will provide the detail.

In the body of the release, use the inverted pyramid, writing the most important information and quotes first. The closing paragraph should report the critical contact information, including the name of the person, his or her phone number and/or email address. Please feel free to look through the WWW Press Room for guidance.

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