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10 Tips on Becoming a Grassroots Activist

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"CONSUMERS FACE HIGHER INTERNET PRICES AND FEWER CHOICES UNDER TODAY’S FCC BROADBAND DEREGULATION DECISION "

- Consumers Union 10/14/2004

Media Tips:

Media coverage is one of the best ways to gain the attention of decision-makers, from local elected officials to members of Congress.  Congressional offices have a staff person responsible for monitoring the news in their district or state and clipping articles, especially those that mention the representative or senator by name.  Often, legislative initiatives are influenced by media coverage.

Getting media can be easier than you think.  By taking a few minutes to write a letter to the editor, anyone can reach thousands of other citizens, including policy-makers and their staff. 

You can also use the media to publicize community or state telecom related events.  A meeting can merit mention in the local newspaper's community calendar, and a workshop or a meeting with an outside speaker may warrant an article.  Use events to contact local reporters, editorial boards and radio and television talk show hosts.  They may wish to cover your event, and even if not, they will look to you as a resource when they write about these issues in the future.

Creating a Media List:

The first step is to become familiar with the media in your area. Watch the evening broadcasts and read the daily paper to with an eye for how different stations and papers cover Internet and technology issues.  This should give you an idea about who may have an interest in covering your story.  Watch how they cover a story and determine if this is the type of reporter you would like to cover your story.

You will want to be sure that you use the best outlet to reach your intended audience, so think about the audience the station or paper reaches.  Once you know the type of media outlets you wish to reach, beginning developing a list of media contacts.  A great starting point for you will be researching the media guide on the WBIA Legislative Action Center.

Letter to the Editor:

A letter to the editor is a very simple and effective way to communicate an opinion to the general public.  Smaller or less prominent papers or magazines are likely to publish your letter. 

Be sure not to write your letter longer than what the publication tends to print.  A lengthy letter is likely to be edited so try to keep it short, interesting and provocative.

Be sure to check specifications on writing letters to the editor on the publication you intent to write or look at the editorial pages of different papers.

• Be brief and concise.  Keep it simple by focusing on one concept or idea and try to limit it to 250-300 words.
• Refer to other stories, articles or editorials.  It always a good idea to write a letter to the editor in response to a letter or article that the paper published.  Just be sure to do as soon a possible following the date of publication.
• Include your contact information, with your name address and daytime and home phone number so the paper can contact you with any questions.  If you have a title that may be relevant to the letter be sure to include that as well.

Op-ed:

An op-ed is an opinion piece that runs on a newspaper's opinion-editorial page.  This venue offers an excellent opportunity to present an extended argument.  An op-ed can carry more weight than a letter to the editor because it presents a point of view with greater detail and persuasion than a short letter will permit.

Before you submit an op-ed you should:

• Know the guidelines.  Call and ask the editorial page editor for the newspaper's policies, such as length, which is usually 700-800 words.
• Talk to the editor. If possible, try to arrange an appointment with the editorial staff to discuss your qualifications for writing an op-ed and the urgency of submitting your op-ed.  And if the editor is not interested in taking a meeting with you, be sure to ask for helpful suggestions on writing your article to improve the chances of being published.
• Keep it local.  Try to adopt a local angel in your article, even though it is a national issue.  A local angle can help make your article more appealing.

Editorial Board Meeting:

Gaining the editorial support of your newspaper can go a long way toward influencing how telecom and technology issues are covered in your area.  It can take some time to set up an editorial board meeting, but the results can be well worth the effort. 

Tips on arranging a meeting:

• Call the editorial page editor and explain the issue and request a meeting.  Be sure and try to tie the event to a particular news event or local concern, such as job loss.
• Prepare for the meeting by studying the issue.  Jot down the key facts and list your main points.  Focus the issue around a local angle about why the community, the newspaper readers, editor should care about this issue.
• When presenting your issue you may have one editor and perhaps several editorial writers and reporters present.  Don't be nervous, they will be interested in hearing what you have to say in the 10 or 15 minutes you have to present your case.  If you don't know the answer to a question, stay calm and let them know that you will get back to the editor with an answer.
• Follow up.  Bring your business cards and printed material with you to leave behind that reinforces your points.  Following the meeting be sure to send a thank you note to the editor and don't forget ask if they would like for you to submit an op-ed. 

Just remember that whatever you achieve you have gone a long in establishing yourself as a political advocate.