Media 101
Connect
- Identify one or two spokespeople in your congregation or organization to speak with the media.
- Issue media advisories before major events and press releases after events and for ongoing efforts.
- Submit letters to the editor and op-eds in the immediate aftermath of a local incident of exclusion, oppression, or violence.
- Articulate your message in no more than three concise talking points.
Write Engaging Letters to the Editor
Guidelines and Tips (PDF)
Sample Letter (PDF)
- A letter-to-the-editor (LtE) is a brief response to a recently published article in a print periodical. Typically less than 150 words, LtEs usually must be received by the outlet within seven days of publication of the article.
- Don’t be condescending or combative—address the article writers and other actors fairly.
- Submit your LtE to more than one outlet—but modify your language slightly and the article to which you’re responding in order to keep each draft unique.
Write an Op-Ed
- An op-ed (opinion-editorial) is an opinion article written for a newspaper by a third-party contributor.
- Track the news and independently identify strategic opportunities for which your input would be helpful.
- Be sure to review submission guidelines again once you have developed a final draft.
- Reach out to reporters you already know.
- Build a contact list of reporters and editors who cover religion and/or social justice efforts in your community.
- Follow up with reporters and inform them of future events.
- A media advisory is a document designed to notify media outlets of a specific event that will be taking place.
- Distribute an advisory five business days before the event, two business days before the event, one business day before the event, and again on the day of the event.
- Monitor coverage the day of and up to about a week after your event to ensure accuracy.
Foster Relationships with the Media
Issue Media Advisories Before Events
Guidelines and Tips (PDF)
Sample Advisory (PDF)
