Contacting the Media
One effective way to raise the profile of residential care issues in your area is to contact the media. This can be done by writing letters to the editor of your local newspaper, or by preparing editorial or opinion pieces on a particular issue. Participating in call-in radio shows is also an effective way to comment on and draw attention to an issue.
Letters to the editor
These short submissions are generally written in response to a previous
item in the newspaper, but can also relate to other developments relevant
to the issue you would like to raise.
Tips:
• Try to link your letter to the date
and title of a story previously appearing in the paper
• Deal with one topic and have one
major key message
• Put the main point at the beginning
and progressively less important details towards the end of the letter
• Be brief and specific (350 words
maximum)
• Use a straightforward, factual approach
• Include your name, address and a
telephone number where you can be reached during the day
• Try to submit the letter within 48
hours (for daily newspapers) of the article you are responding to
• Ask someone to proof-read the letter
before you send it Opinion editorials and call-in radio
Opinion editorials
Known as an ‘op-ed’, an opinion editorial is a short, persuasive
essay that generally provides comment on a timely or topical issue. Opinion
editorials are more challenging to get published, but if you are successful,
they can have a powerful impact. Contact information and writing guidelines
are usually available on newspaper websites.
Tips:
• Narrow your topic and be brief (700
words maximum)
• Support your position with references
to expert studies and reports
• Make sure your submission is relevant
to the readers
• Try to localize the issue, or consider
how it can be approached from an interesting angle
• Contact the paper first to discuss
your idea and get feedback on your angle or approach to the topic
• Include your name, address and a
telephone number where you can be reached during the day
• Newspapers often feature prominent
people or experts in the community - approach someone like this to see
if they would like to provide you with a quote to use, or if they would
be interested in co-authoring or even writing a submission.
Call-in radio shows
Call in radio shows often feature discussions on important, topical issues.
Participating in these shows is a good way to make a contribution to the
debate on a particular topic. You can also make a contribution by phoning
the producers of radio shows to suggest topics that should be discussed.
Tips:
• Prepare your thoughts on the issue
in advance and write some notes which you can refer to during the call
• Be sure that you can support your
position with factual information; reference expert studies and reports
if possible
• Be respectful to the other callers
and participants of the show, even if their opinion differs from yours
Other media opportunities
Other media in your area may also be useful in terms of raising the profile
of specific issues. Potential options to be explored might include articles
or letters in community papers, various magazines, professional or trade
papers, church and union newsletters, club and organizational bulletins,
and student radio and newspapers.
Phoning a journalist, editor or producer can also be useful. Suggest different
angles for covering a story, provide meaningful information they may not
have, encourage them to report on residential care issues and commend
them for good coverage. Sometimes they will then encourage you to submit
a guest editorial, write a letter or even make an appearance.
Newspaper contacts in British Columbia
Abbotsford
News
Abbotsford
Times
Burnaby
Now
Burnaby/New
Westminster News Leader
Campbell
River Mirror
Comox
Valley Record
Coquitlam
Now
Coquitlam
Tri City News
Cowichan
News Leader
Cranbrook
Daily Townsman
Fort
St. James Caledonia Courier
Hope
Standard
Kamloops
Daily News
Kelowna Capital
News
Kelowna
Daily Courier
Kitimat
Northern Sentinel
Langley
Times
Maple
Ridge/Pitt Meadows Times
Nanaimo
Daily News
Nelson
Daily News
North Vancouver/West
Vancouver North Shore News
Port
Hardy North Island Gazette
Quesnel
Cariboo Observer
Richmond
News
Richmond
Review
Surrey/North
Delta Leader
Terrace
Standard
Tumbler
Ridge News
Vancouver
Sun
Vancouver
Province
Victoria
Times-Colonist
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Listing
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