Login to post comments | No account yet? Register here
Adverts
Please click on our sponsors to show your support
| How To Lobby The Media |
|
|
| Thursday, 31 January 2008 | |
There are four methods available to us that can make us effective lobbyists: email, letter writing, phone calls and meetings. We will need to choose the method which best suites the legislative situation at hand.
Phone Calls
Meetings
Letter Writing
How To Respond To A Positive Article/Programme: Dear [editor’s name, Sir or Madam, To Whom It May Concern] I would like to express my gratitude to your [publication, the BBC, Radio Station, Channel] for such a balanced and informative [programme, article]. I look forward to seeing similar features in the future.
How To Respond To A Negative Article/Programme: Dear [editor's name, Sir or Madam, To Whom It May Concern] I find it hard to believe that an editor could allow such [biased/ unbalanced/ racist / sectarian / insulting] remarks to be made in such a well known media organisation in these times. Remarks like this only cause more problems in communities. The most notable was [insert the worst part of the article or statement or programme]. A complaint will be lodged with the [Press Complaints Commission/OFCOM] in one week if no reply is forthcoming. [Address] Tips on letter/email writing: · Be clear. If you cannot summarize your message in one or two sentences, it's not clear enough in your mind. Pinpoint in stark, unambiguous terms what you want to communicate. · Be specific. Why was the article unfair? Did it show lack of context, imbalanced reporting, or omission of key facts? For example: "Your report inappropriately quoted only pro- (e.g. Israeli) sources, leaving the (e.g. Palestinian) position un-represented." · Be concise. Most publications will not print a letter to the editor longer than 250 words. And editors tend to publish letters they don't have to spend time shortening. · Be focused. While an article may contain numerous instances of bias, focus your critique on just one or two. It's better to fully explain one point than to inadequately cover five. · Know the goal. You want your letter to inspire the media to change. When possible, ask the media to issue a correction based on your points. A good way to end your letter is to ask: "Can I expect a rethinking of your editorial policy on this point?" · Request a reply. Let the media know there is a consequence to biased reporting -- even if the consequence is, having to answer hundreds of e-mails! You could end your letter with: "I would appreciate a response explaining why you have allowed such a biased article to appear in your fine publication." · Stick to the facts. Keep your comments clean and respectful. Hostile or overly emotional language is counter-productive. This is not the place to vent your frustration. · Write as a concerned individual. Mentioning that you are part of an organised campaign may lessen the impact of your letter. · Use the CC button. Maximize your efforts by sending a copy of your letter not just to the editor, but also to the reporter, foreign editor, publisher, and even advertisers and members of Parliament. · Include contact info. Before publishing a letter, most papers will call to verify that you wrote it. Remember to include your full name, title, address and daytime phone number. Most newspapers will not accept anonymous letters and will not publish a letter without first attempting to check the identity of the author · Follow up. When possible, follow up with a phone call to the comments editor to ask if your letter will be published. If the editor doesn't remember your letter, offer to read it over the phone. It is the involvement and active participation as we have seen that can influence people’s opinions and as Muslims, we have numerical supremacy. Unfortunately, we have yet to use this to our advantage.           |
