Use the Media

The three best ways for you to spread the word about what you’re doing and pick up media coverage are:

  • Letters to the editor
  • Opinion editorials
  • A local human interest story

Below are some tips for getting the story out there.

Letters to the Editor:
Letters to the editor are a great way to spread awareness in your community about the conflict in northern Uganda and let people know about how they can get involved in efforts for peace. The key to getting your letter printed is making it relevant to your local community, whether that’s letting readers know about a specific event or asking your paper’s editor to run more stories about the war in northern Uganda. Here are a few more tips for getting your letter published:

  • Keep it short: Most letters to the editor aren’t more than 150-200 words.
  • Keep it focused: Unlike editorials, letters to the editor only allow you the space to make one or two key points. Focus on what you think is the most important thing for people in your community to know about the war and what they can do to help.
  • Include your contact information

Op/Ed:
Opinion editorials are another great way to inform members of your community about the conflict in northern Uganda and to engage them in efforts to help end the war. Newspapers will often run pieces written by grassroots activists if they are well-written and timely, but you should check with your paper before submitting your editorial, as different papers often have specific rules and guidelines for editorial submissions from community members. Here are a few tips for writing your editorial:

  • Keep it short: Most papers will only run editorials that are less than 750 words.
  • Make it relevant: The closer you can write your editorial to a community event or significant development in the conflict, the better. Newspapers publish information that they feel is pertinent to their readers, so your op-ed is more likely to be published when it is tied to a current event (ie: lobby visits, legislative development, breakthrough in the peace talks, etc.)
  • Make it personal: While your op-ed should include facts about the conflict, it should also reflect your personality. The best editorials explain why the issue or topic is relevant to both the writer and the reader. Tell your own story and why you care about what’s happening in northern Uganda.
  • Include information on how readers can get involved: If you’re writing an op-ed near the time of a specific event, make sure your editorial includes information on how readers can join your efforts. Even if it’s just including Resolve Uganda’s website, it’s important that people reading your article aren’t just overwhelmed by the severity of what’s happening in northern Uganda, but also see that they can play a part in bringing about peace.
  • Include your contact information: Newspapers need to know how to contact you if they’re going to run your editorial.

Human Interest Story:
Local papers love to highlight action being taken by their readers, especially when the story is tied to a larger issue. But to pick up this kind of coverage, reporters in your area need to know what you’re doing. The best way to let them know is by going to your local paper or TV station’s website and finding the link to “submit a story.” This option is usually highlighted prominently on the outlet’s homepage. When submitting a story, it is helpful to include the following information:

  • Type of event
  • Sponsoring organization
  • Name and number of person readers should contact for information.
  • Name and number of person to contact BEFORE the event
  • Name and number of person to contact AT the event
  • Day of event
  • Date and time of event
  • Location of event
  • Estimated number of participants
  • Why readers will be interested in this event