Israel | Advocate for Israel
HOW TO CONTACT THE NEWS MEDIA
You can have an effect on how the news media reports the news, influence editorial policy, and help select opinion-based materials that are published or broadcast.
RESPONDING TO PROBLEMATIC NEWS REPORTS
If news coverage is inaccurate or unfair, you have a right to respond. Most media will take appropriate action if such complaints are proven valid. It’s up to you to be an effective responder:
• Start at the bottom. Try calling or e-mailing the reporter directly. Often
they will appreciate the opportunity to hear what you have to say.
• Be non-confrontational. Remember, your goal is to educate, sensitize
and prevent a recurrence.
• Be sure to include in your conversation or letter some key messages
that you would like to see in future stories. This may plant the seed for
helpful news coverage.
WRITING A LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Letters to the editor are great advocacy tools. After you write letters to your elected officials, sending letters to the editor can achieve other advocacy goals because they:
• Reach a large audience.
• Are often monitored by elected officials.
• Can bring up information not addressed in a news article.
• Create an impression of widespread support for or in opposition to
an issue.
1. Keep letters short and on one subject.
Many newspapers have a strict limit on the length of letters and have limited space to publish them. Keeping your letter brief will help assure that your important points are not cut out by the newspaper. Readers naturally gravitate toward shorter letters, as well.
2. Short, heartfelt statements are often more powerful than lengthy legal arguments.
Keep in mind that newspaper readers have varying levels of education and experience. Your letter must make sense to a wide range of people in order to be effective. If you have personal experience related to the issue you’re writing about, consider including it. Personal testimonies are very effective.
3. If not submitting letters via e-mail, make sure your letter is legible.
It doesn’t have to be fancy, but you should use a typewriter or word processor if your handwriting is difficult to read.
4. Send letters to weekly community newspapers, too.
The smaller the newspaper’s circulation, the easier it is to get your letter printed.
5. Be sure to include your contact information.
Many newspapers will only print a letter to the editor after calling the author to verify his or her identity and address. Newspapers will not give out that information, and will usually only print your name and city should your letter be published.
6. Make references to the newspaper.
While some newspapers print general commentary, many will only print letters that refer to a specific article. Here are some examples of easy ways to refer to articles in your opening sentence:
• “I was disappointed that [name of newspaper, title of article or column,
date] omitted some key facts.”
• “I strongly disagree with [author’s name] narrow view on [subject] [title of
op-ed & date].”
• “I was pleased to see your article [title of article & date] regarding [issue].”
7. Get the most from your letter by replying to dissenting views.
Although many newspapers limit submissions to a certain number per person, most will allow letter writers to respond to criticism of their original letter. Take the opportunity to spread your message further by submitting a short response.
CALLING IN TO A RADIO TALK SHOW
• First, learn all you can about the show. Know the format, procedures and
program host.
• Ask yourself if the program is an opportunity or a trap. There’s no point
becoming a punching bag for a host who disagrees with your opinion or
doesn’t play fair.
• Think out your message in advance, make your message concise and
simple, and have counter statements prepared.
• Have notes right at hand, and don’t be reluctant to use them.
• Stay on topic. “The real issue here is....”
• Use images and analogies to involve emotions.
• Call in to support and reinforce statements that align with your position.
• When on unfriendly ground, your goal may only be to plant a seed of doubt
with the audience.
For a quick and easy way to send a letter about Israel to the editor of most local newspapers, click here.
LOCAL NEWSPAPERS
Detroit Free Press
Letters to the Editor
615 W. Lafayette Boulevard
Detroit, MI 48226
Ombudsman: (800) 678-7771
Detroit News
Letters to the Editor
600 W. Fort Street
Detroit, Michigan 48226
Ombudsman: (800) 678-4115
Jewish News
29200 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 110
Southfield, MI 48034
LOCAL TV
16550 W. Nine Mile Road
Southfield, MI 48075
(248) 395-3692
550 W. Lafayette Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 222-0500
20777 W. Ten Mile Road
Southfield, MI 48037
(248) 827-9407
LOCAL RADIO
26495 American Drive
Southfield, MI 48034
(248) 945-9950
3011 West Grand Blvd.
Suite 800
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 875-4440
NATIONAL NEWSPAPERS
NATIONAL NETWORKS
PBS
NewsHour
NPR
635 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
Ombudsman: (202) 513-3245
HOW YOU CAN ADVOCATE FOR ISRAEL
HOW TO CONTACT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
TALKING POINTS ON ISRAEL
ANSWERING ISRAEL'S CRITICS
ISRAEL ADVOCACY NETWORK (IAN)
ADVOCATING ON CAMPUS
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