Following up on recent political claims about the news media, defending independent journalism isn’t just about emails to elected officials. It’s also about making sure the public hears multiple points of view.
One of the most effective ways to do that? Write a Letter to the Editor of your local newspaper.
📢 Why it matters:
Letters to the Editor reach a broad audience—including your neighbors, community leaders, and even elected officials. They help shape public opinion and show newsrooms that press freedom is an issue people care about.
🖊Tips to Get Published:
✅ Be concise – Keep it under 250 words. Editors prefer short, to-the-point letters.
✅ Stay relevant – Mention a recent news article or event (like Trump’s attacks on the media) to make your letter timely. Find a local angle.
✅ Make it personal – Share why a free press matters to you. Are you a journalist? A concerned citizen? A voter?
✅ Be persuasive, not ranting – Stick to the facts and make a compelling case without personal attacks.
✅ Follow submission guidelines – Check your local newspaper’s website for word limits and submission instructions.
📩Ready to Write?
✔ Find the email address or online submission form for your local paper.
✔ Write an attention-grabbing subject line – Mention "Letter to the Editor" and include a short, compelling message (for example, Defending the Free Press is Defending Democracy).
✔ Draft your message – Just a few sentences can make an impact!
✔ Send it in—and encourage others to do the same!
A free press is essential for democracy. Let’s ensure the voices defending it are as loud as those attacking it.
I would love to see many more letters to the editor written and published. Maybe this will help!