Write to the local newspaper
www.bristolcnd.org.uk
Letters to the Editor
- Look for recent relevant news stories to respond to.
- Effective letters to the editor are short (no more than 250 words, better under 200), locally relevant, linked to some timely or current event, and include a clearly stated objective
- It's best to email your letter, and to include your phone number and your local address
- If you can - phone the letters editor and ask if they received the letter and whether they plan to publish it.
Some ideas for topics that you might like to write about:
- Almost any story involving cuts to local services. Write and ask why the government can find £205 billion for Trident, a nuclear weapons system that makes us less safe, but they can't find enough money for local services.
- National or local stories concerning nuclear energy or energy costs. Write and state your concerns about the planned new nuclear power station at Hinkley C, just 29 miles from Bristol, using untried technology. You could write about the enormous cost to UK consumers of the energy eventually generated. See http://stophinkley.org/StopPress.htm
How to get more column inches than a letter to the editor
It's no secret that newspapers have fallen on hard times. As people move away from paper communications, local newspapers in particular are struggling to maintain offices and pay staff to write the news. But they shouldn't be overlooked; the are a very effective way of communicating with some audiences.
Because staff are often overworked and underpaid, editors tend to be amenable to publishing stories written by local residents. From their point of view, it's a cheap way of improving the product and selling more papers. A story could secure you more column inches than a letter to the editor, so why not give it a go?
Ideas for stories
Stories are more likely to be agreed by editors if they relate to local events or if they're written from a local perspective.
A local school or hospital is closing because of a lack of funding. Write an article questioning why the government can find £205 billion for Trident, a nuclear weapons system that makes us less safe, but they can't find enough money for local services.
When we are collecting petition signatures, write about why we are doing it
Write about other debates - explain why you are wearing white poppies?
Hinkley Point is only 29 miles as the crow flies from Bristol. Explain why you are concerned.
Send an email to the editor. In bullet points set out what your article is about and what the main points are that you will make. They may write back to you and suggest something slightly different so it is good to be flexible.
Contact details
Western Daily Press wdnews@bepp.co.uk
Bristol Evening Post bristolpostnews@localworld.co.uk (or see https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/contact-us/ for individual editors)
The Spark news@thespark.co.uk
Bristol Cable info@thebristolcable.org, content@thebristolcable.org