SENDING A LETTER TO THE EDITOR
WHY LETTERS MATTER
Letters serve three important purposes:
- They show assignment editors that readers, listeners and viewers are interested in a topic and letters encourage them to continue to report on that topic. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW.
- Letters to the Editors pages of newspapers and letters segments on TV and radio are popular items. Letters add our angle to the public discussion.
- When editors receive numerous letters on a topic they will run one. So even if your letter is not published, it helps to convince the editor to publish one of them.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Keep it short. 50-200 words maximum.
- Stick to one main point.
- When possible reference an actual article that appeared or aired on the topic.
- Express a clear opinion – for/against, right/wrong. Send it right away. After a few days it's too late, the news marches on.
LETTER FORMAT
<date>
<name of newspaper>
<fax or email of newspaper>
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Regarding: <topic, or title/date of article to which you are responding>
Dear Editor,
<TEXT>
Sincerely,
<your name>
<your titles>
<your contact information for the newspaper letters editor>