Letters to the Editor Work!
Want a 100 percent guarantee that congressional staff will read your
thoughts on a legislative issue? If you publish a letter to the editor in
your local newspaper and mention your members of Congress or congressional candidates by name,
media clipping services that monitor local press will ensure that your letter gets attention on the Hill.
You’ll also reach and educate the thousands of people in your community who read the paper and vote in your district. And your letter has the potential to
influence how your newspaper covers a particular policy issue, as well as how
much attention the topic receives.
It's easy, too... With FCNL's website, you can submit letters to local and national publications directly from your computer.
FCNL Constituents Get Published
Getting your letter printed may require patience and persistence. But it does happen! Here are two recent examples from FCNL constituents who have had letters published:
"I’m concerned that the discussions of foreign relations in the 2008
presidential and congressional elections are focusing solely on a resolution to the Iraq conflict without addressing the grossly insufficient
spending on diplomatic initiatives intended to prevent war."
Beth Blagg, Nashport, OH
Zanesville Times Recorder,
2/7/08
"Ending the war in Iraq is very important, but can it happen without diplomatic initiatives? Don’t think so. This discussion seems to be sadly lacking in the presidential debates."
Lisa Stewart,
Wharton, NJ
Rockaway Neighbor News and Vernon Advertiser-News, 2/7/08
Inspired to write your own letter? Here are some tips to focus your writing.
- Limit yourself to 200 words or less.
- Respond to a news story.
- Link your message about a policy issue to a local concern or personal
story.
With FCNL's website you can send text letters directly to local or national newspapers.
*Note: It's a lot easier to get your work published if you send letters to local publications. If you're submitting to national or state-wide publications, it's better to send your letter to one newspaper only. Many papers are concerned about the exclusivity of the letters they publish.
FCNL’s letter to the editor guide
Write a "War Is Not the Answer" Letter to Your Editor
Here's an idea: 
Take that picture (the one with your family and a "War Is Not the Answer" sign that you're going to send to FCNL) and mail a copy, along with a short letter, to the editor of your local newspaper.
Don't know how to contact your local paper?
If your letter is published, let us know!
Send it to FCNL at:
245 Second Street NE,
Washington, DC 20002
or field@fcnl.org.
Chicago Sun-Times. March 24, 2008
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