Public Discourse

 PUBLIC DISCOURSE

• Contacting the print media: Contacting a newspaper or magazine to express an opinion on an issue
• Contacting officials: Contacting or visiting a public official, at any level of government, to ask for assistance or to express an opinion
• Contacting the broadcast media: Calling in to a radio or television talk show to express an opinion on a political issue, even if it is not aired

RESOURCES and OPPORTUNITIES

• CONTACTING ELECTED OFFICIALS-- Great starting point for contacting elected officials: the President, U.S. Senators, U.S. Representatives, State Legislators, and State  Governors. -- www.usa.gov/elected-officials

•  CONTACT SPECIFIC DIVISIONS-- Identify government organizations by a variety of topics-- health, veterans and military, children, education, etc.-- www.usa.gov/contact-by-topic

•  WRITING LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
  • Guidelines/example: www.studentnewsdaily.com/letter-to-the-editor-guidelines/
  • How to submit letters to The New York Times:  www.nytimes.com/content/help/site/editorial/letters/letters.html
  • How to submit letters to the Marshall Independent:  www.marshallindependent.com/page/category.detail/nav/5072/Letters-to-the-Editor.html