Media Activism & the Power of the Media
Media coverage is critical! We all know how powerful the media has been in recent election outcomes. We must use this powerful tool to:
1) Educate readers, listeners, and viewers.
We can’t fight for what we don’t understand, and many in our population do not understand from where it is we as a nation have come; nor do they understand the depth and breadth of “change” that’s upon us from the liberal left. Harnessing the media to carry our message of truth is an excellent method of reaching, educating, and recruiting other conservatives, independents, and even the truly open-minded liberal thinkers in both our nation’s history and the far-reaching impact of current events. Media coverage broadens and grows both our coalition and our cause.
2) Pressure our elected officials to both pass conservative legislation and stop the liberal agenda.
Like it or not, the media tells elected officials what their constituents want. If enough constituents want something and the media covers it, an elected official is more likely to support it. When more conservative constituents get involved, the more interest elected officials will be required to take on our issues.
Newspapers
In each community, there are a variety of newspapers available from which you can seek coverage. Look to your major local newspaper(s), but also the smaller distribution neighborhood-oriented papers as well. There are also free market-specific publications you can find displayed at libraries and convenience stores. If you write a letter to one paper, easily and quickly duplicate your efforts by submitting the same letter to others in the area as well. There is almost always an editor contact email address to which you can easily send your letters.
How to write a letter to the Editor:
What exactly is a letter to the editor? Well, it’s usually a letter readers send to newspaper editors about articles previously written in that paper. Or, it can be a letter about issues that concern readers. Letters to the editor are effective because they give you opportunity to tell readers about issues that are important to you. Letters to the editor are an effective tool that must be used actively and consistently to influence both elected officials and voters.
3 Types of Letters to the Editor:
Letters to the editor can be used to reach and/or influence 3 important groups of people: lawmakers, readers, and newspaper editors. Reaching each audience is a necessary exercise of both your individual and our collective conservative voice in gaining and maintaining a conservative majority. Before writing your letter, make sure you read the notes below “How to Ensure Your Letter Gets Printed.”
1) Influence lawmakers
Influence your lawmakers at all levels of government by calling on them to act either for conservative legislation or against liberal legislation. Local newspapers are likely to print letters that address locally elected officials or issues. Lawmakers are likely to have staff scanning papers for letters and articles mentioning his or her name. From the lawmaker’s perspective, printed letters in newspapers are good evidence of constituent opinion. If our lawmakers are supporting conservative legislation, let them know it by recognizing them in a letter to the editor and publicly thanking them. This lets them know we’re paying attention and it encourages to them to press on for the cause.
2) Influence readers
Respond to articles or other letters to the editor your newspaper has printed. Remember, whatever garners most attention is what drives media coverage. Response can be as simple as a quick online “recommendation check mark” (if your local paper offers this option) or as elaborate as a written letter. With this in mind:
A) Support and reinforce conservative voices
If we don’t actively do this, liberal opposition is sure to be printed as the response. Newspapers will then print more articles and letters reflecting the conservative voice. Every time someone speaks up on our behalf, it requires that person’s time, energy, and courage. This type of public, vocal reinforcement strengthens both our cause and our voice, and it encourages others to speak up as well.
B) Refute liberal voices
If we as conservatives don’t actively refute them, their letters and articles will receive printed liberal reinforcement. Newspapers will then print more articles and letters reflecting the liberal voice. Our formerly-silent majority can afford silence no more. Again, speak up against the liberal voices to strengthen our cause and voice.
3) Influence newspaper editors
Write to seek official endorsement from the newspaper’s editorial board and staff. Local newspapers have a powerful effect on both readers and election results (ever seen anyone carrying editorial pages into the ballot box?). Showering the newspaper with letters to the editor that all communicate the same message can lead to endorsement either for conservative legislation or against liberal legislation (even if not all of our letters get printed).
How to ensure your letter gets printed:
1) Be brief. Newspapers have different criteria, but the average is around 300 words maximum, which is a good rule of thumb. Check your paper’s guidelines and follow them.
2) Get to the point. Clearly focus on your single issue.
3) Connect and apply it to yourself and our community.
4) Include ways to take action. Encourage readers to get involved in the conservative cause in some way, such as “Sign the online petition at…” or “Attend the next meeting of the coalition…” or “Share this information with a neighbor…”
5) Mention the name(s) of elected officials, either by thanking them or criticizing their actions. Suggest specific actions officials should take to further conservative issues or defeat liberal issues.
6) Speak for a larger group to strengthen your voice. Something like “Parents of children in school district 10 want action…” or “El Paso County gun owners stand against this legislation and you should too…” or “Supporters of life expect elected officials to pay attention to…”.
7) Include your contact information: editors want to confirm you’re who you say you are. Include name, phone number, email address, and mailing address (some require this information if submitting online). If your letter does get printed, newspapers will usually only print your name and city. Again, check your paper’s guidelines and follow them.
And don’t forget:
Contact CCM when you submit your letters so we can alert members that your voice needs support.
Contact CCM when you see a liberal article/letter needing conservative opposition. As warranted by and filtered through our core values, we will alert members to the need for response.
Which papers can I contact here in Colorado Springs?:
Click on the following link to be directed to a page listing all area newspapers and contact information. Local News Paper Contact Information Click Here
Weblogs (Blogs)
Start a blog! This is an effective method to communicate conservative values and truths. Some local online newspapers provide you with your own blog, readable by many.
Radio
Contact your local radio stations and let them know you want to hear more about specific issues important to our conservative values. Television Contact your local television stations and let them know you want to hear more about specific issues important to our conservative values.
Need help or have questions about taking back OUR media? Contact Michelle Morin:
Michelle@ccm-cos.com