Reach the Media
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Why the Media?

The media has a tremendous influence on policy and politics in the United States. Therefore, in any campaign, it is vital to utilize the media to broadcast your message to the widest audience possible. Local events can rally impressive crowds, but without media attention, these events may take place virtually unnoticed and have little real impact. Media coverage of an event or topic, however, immediately magnifies an issue, making it more likely to become part of the local or national policy debate. Media work can be one of the most effective ways to influence public policy.

National media, however, is not the only media that counts. Congressional offices do follow articles in local papers, so getting your viewpoint across in these venues is equally important. So be sure always to send copies of whatever you publish to your members of Congress.

As you might imagine, however, communicating a position to reporters and editors is not always an easy task. You must be clear but succinct, thoughtful but critical, and above all, accurate and timely. Knowing certain tricks of the trade will help your issue stand out from the crowd. The tips provided in this section are intended to help strengthen your local, regional, and even national media work.