Advocate Through the Media

Media is one of the best ways to get policymakers to learn about and pay attention to issues that are important to you. This includes local elected officials to members of Congress.

Letters to the Editor and Op-Eds Pieces

You feel strongly about issues related to people with developmental disabilities. And you want to let people know what you think and feel. Letters to the editor and opinion pieces can be an effective way to get the word out to a lot of people.

Letter to the editor: A letter to the editor is usually written in response to an article or letter that was in a newspaper. It can also focus on a current issue you want people to know about. It is short.

Op-Ed:  An op-ed is a longer article that makes a strong argument about a current issue. It is usually written by an expert. It is not written in response to an article or letter in a newspaper.

Most newspapers want letters to the editor and op-eds sent by email or through links on their websites. Before you start writing your letter or op-ed, check the newspaper for the rules you must follow.

Tips on Writing & Submitting a Letter to the Editor or Op-Ed

  • Pick a topic. Do not try to discuss more than one issue in a letter. Choose just one.
  • Be clear and direct. Explain what you are writing about, why it is important, and what should be done. Start by explaining why you are writing and why it is important. It may be clear to you, but remember that most other people may know very little about your issue.
  • Choose your words carefully. Use simple words everyone can understand. Do not use offensive language or personally attack anyone. 
  • Follow the rules. Letters to the editor are usually very short. Check the newspaper to see how long they usually are. The most common reason that letters to the editor are not published is because they are too long. Op-Eds are usually no more than 800 words. Here are the limits for the major newspapers in Louisiana:
    • Times Picayune – 200 words or less
    • The Advocate – 450 words or less
    • Shreveport Times – 300 words or less
    • Times of Acadiana – 500 words or less
    • American Press – 350 or less
    • The News Star – 300 words or less

 Make sure to follow all the newspaper’s rules for letters to the editor and op-eds.

  • Include your full name and contact information. If a newspaper plans to use your letter, they will contact you to make sure you wrote it. Newspapers usually do not publish letters without including the writer’s name. They might if you ask them.
  • Read your letter. Check to make sure everything is spelled correctly and you used the right words. Sometimes the newspaper will make changes. They will not change your message. They may make small changes to help readers understand. They might have to make it shorter. Do not get upset if they do this – it is not personal. 

Follow up. Check to make sure the newspaper received your letter. If your letter does not get published, find out why. Send it to another newspaper.

Interviews

Another way of working with the media is to do interviews. Interviews can be done for TV, radio or print media. As a person with a disability or a parent, you know how disability policy issues affect you and your family. You are the best person to share your experience with a reporter or a local talk show.

Tips on How to Conduct Yourself in an Interview

Before the Interview

  • Know what to expect in your interview. Ask if the interview is for TV, radio, or print. Ask about the topic of the interview, who else the reporter has talked to, and when the story will run. Ask how long the interview will last. Ask if the interview will be live or recorded.
  • Focus your message. If possible, review fact sheets or talking points before your interview. Pick one or two main points you want to highlight.
  • Dress right. Wear dark and solid colors. These look better on camera.

During the Interview

  • Be yourself. The best way to calm your nerves is by being you. People will be able to tell if you are pretending.
  • Stay on message. Your job is to share your message. Stick to your talking points. It is ok to repeat them. If the reporter brings up a tough issue, remember that your responsibility is to get your message out. Stay calm. Stay on message. Say what you know. 
  • Tell the truth. This is how you build trust with reporters. Trust is how you develop relationships with them so they want to know what you think now and in the future. If you do not know the answer, it is okay to say that you do not know.  
  • Stay calm. If your interview is recorded and you mess up, tell the reporter you would like to stop and start again. Live interviews are not as common. If you have one just talk to the reporter. Don’t think about the camera.

After the Interview

  • Stay connected. Give the reporter your contact information and get theirs. Offer more information or materials.
  • Ask how you can get a copy of the interview.

Social Media

People, legislators, reporters, and others use social media to:

  • Give and get information,
  • Share ideas,
  • Debate issues,
  • Encourage others to act.

If you are not using social media, you are missing conversations about issues that affect people with developmental disabilities. There are many reasons why it is important to use social media: 

  1. It helps build relationships, 
  2. It is a way to reach new advocates and supporters,  
  3. It gets people talking together, and 
  4. It can make it easier for people to learn about and get involved in your advocacy work.

Some of the most common social media tools are Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Tips for Using Social Media

Are you ready to start networking? Here are things to keep in mind:

  • Stay focused. Keep your message short and stay focused on your issue. If possible, include a link to a website that explains the issue you are advocating for or against.
  • Start a conversation. It is a conversation, not a one-way talk. Try to get your friends and followers to participate.
  • Ask a question. It is the fastest way to get your friends and followers active in the conversation.
  • Be positive. If you disagree with something, it is okay to share what you think. But do not make mean or nasty comments. That will not change people’s minds. 
  • Do not attack others. Do not post personal attacks or negative comments about any political or public figure. This could make it impossible to have conversations with policymakers in the future. 
  • Be accurate. Do not post any false (wrong) information about a politician, candidate, or legislation.
  • Do not be a troll. A troll starts problems and arguments online by posting upsetting or off-topic messages to make people angry.