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Writing to the local papers Writing to your local newspaper can seem like a daunting task, but once you’ve done it you will realise how easy and rewarding it actually is. Writing to newspapers, especially local ones, is an excellent way to express your views and generate awareness and understanding of the campaign issues. In order to ensure that your efforts are not wasted, follow these simple tips:
Be sure to include your full name, address and phone number. This helps the newspaper check if you really are the person you say you are. Keep it short and to the point: 3-4 paragraphs is ideal. Put your main points in your first paragraph; letters are edited from the bottom up. Write about the issues that are important to you. Write as an individual and not as the everyone campaign, your letter will carry much more weight this way. (This doesn’t mean that you can’t mention the campaign asks or the fact that you are supporting the Vote with your feet campaign.) If you are referring to a letter/article that has already been published, reference the title of the article and the date it was published in your opening paragraph. Newspapers like dialogue between writers, so if a letter you write incites a reaction, follow it up with a letter. However, even if you strongly disagree with another letter writer’s point of view, don’t be tempted to make your letter a personal attack. Simply keep to the facts. MSPs and possible candidates are always concerned about their local coverage, as the readers are their constituents! Never underestimate the influence of local papers.
Write as an individual Ask that MSPs/candidates state their views on the issue/s you are writing about (such as green networks, climate change and fuel poverty, protection of nature, a Marine Bill for Scotland or sustainable food).
Endorse, or give support to, any one particular party – if possible, you want to get all parties to state their positions on the issue/s you have written about.
Emailing you letter is probably the best, as the Letter Editor can just ‘cut and paste’. It is usually best to send your email as plain text format and not as an attachment. Faxing is good too, but check that you have the correct fax number and make sure you mark it ‘Letter for publication’. If you don’t have access to email or fax, posting is fine too. Typed or word processed is best, but neatly handwritten is best too. You should be able to find your local newspaper’s mailing address (or fax or email address) printed on the letters page or somewhere else in the paper.
Tell us and if it gets published, send us a copy! (email us here)
Sample letter This is an example of the type of letter you could send. Feel free to use the text below for the basis of your own letter, but make sure to add your own comments to personalise it. *LETTER FOR PUBLICATION Dear Editor, Where do candidates stand on… I have heard very little during this election campaign from prospective MSPs about what they will do, if elected, to encourage sustainable development and protect the environment in Scotland. In particular, I am very concerned about…[e.g. sustainable public transport, climate change, the lack of proper protection for wildlife and marine life in Scotland’s seas] The next government must commit itself to achieving…[for example, you could use one of the four everyone ‘asks’ that you most passionately support] As a concerned reader, I am supporting the everyone election campaign, a joint initiative by Scotland’s environment charities, calling for real action to improve Scotland’s environment and stop climate change. Caring for our environment will also improve the quality of life of people in Scotland. I call on all local candidates to publicly state what they would do to… Actions taken by citizens and the government now can help stop climate change/protect Scotland’s species and habitats/safeguard our seas and so ensure a better quality of life for future generations. We can start by letting MSPs know that if they don’t commit to addressing these issues through policy and action, we will vote for someone else. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER]
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