There are several ways to get word to the news media about local events.  Draft a simple (and short) description of your event. 

1)  Contact your closest bureau of The Associated Press.  You can find the bureau at http://www.ap.org/pages/contact/contact_pr.html and search in the right hand column.  Most bureaus send out a “Daybook” that lists news events upcoming.

2)  Contact your local newspapers.  If they do not have a religion writer, ask for the City Desk (or Metro Desk).  Tell them you have an event that is of interest to their readers.  Ask if they want an email or a fax.

3)  Call your local TV newsrooms.  Ask for the Assignment Editor.  Find out if they prefer email or fax.  Tell them this story if of interest to their viewers.  Point out it is unique, part of a national effort, first time Christians/Muslims/Jews/other-groups-in-your-area have come together like this on the holiest night of Ramadan.

4)  Ask your local religious communities to post this item on their websites and announce it to their congregations at this weekend’s services.

5)  If you have a local radio talk show, call the producer and tell them about this event.  Make a spokesperson or two available for an interview.  Be flexible for the radio program’s schedule.  Offer to go into to the studio (for better audio quality) rather than be on the phone.

This is an important time for all of us seeking to breakdown the walls of ignorance and suspicion among our religious groups.  I hope, and pray, that communities across the nation will begin or continue the process of getting to know better all of our sisters and brothers as God’s creation.

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NCC News MEDIA ADVISORY

Washington DC Interfaith Fast events

“From Conquest to Community, from Violence to Reverence”

On October 8, as Muslims celebrate the “Night of Power,” the holiest night in Ramadan, in small and large communities around our nation, people of faith will join with the Muslim community in fasting.  Leaders of many religious traditions have joined together to call their communities to fast under the theme “from conquest to community, from violence to reverence,” and to call for an end to the war in Iraq.

Events in Washington DC will serve as anchors to the nationwide fasts.  On the night of Sunday, October 7, religious leaders will come together at Medina Center, 9426 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, Md. from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Some religious leaders will begin the time of fasting and prayer following that meal and continue through the following day while others will fast from sunup to sundown on October 8.

On the evening of Monday the 8th, religious leaders will again gather at the ADAMS Center, 46903 Sugarland Road, Sterling, VA 20164 to break the fast together from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Religious leaders and news reporters are invited to participate in both these events.  Please RSVP as follows:

October 7 - 6:00 p.m. Medina Center: admin@medinacenter.net or 301-564-4341 October 8 - 5:30 p.m. ADAMS Center: fahanahzellis@yahoo.com or 571-283-1441

For more details on the interfaith fast please go to: www.interfaithfast.org

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NCC News contact:  The Rev. Daniel Webster, 212.870.2252, NCCnews@ncccusa.org
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Suggestions in contacting your local newspaper’s editorial board:

Elected leaders read local newspaper editorials religiously.

If your local newspaper has not editorialized against the war, it may be time to try to convince them otherwise.

Call your newspaper’s editorial page editor.  Tell her/him that you would like the editorial board to hear from the local peace community about changing their editorial position. 

Newspaper editorial boards usually meet once or twice a week to hear from individuals about current issues.

Suggest no more than two representatives from your local peace groups.  They should speak with one voice and represent the opinions of those in your local peace group.

Be prepared for questions.  They will sometimes be pointed and direct.  These journalists will want to know you have studied the issue and are facile with the facts.  They will want to make sure you are not naive peace lovers but solid activists with conviction and numbers on your side.  They will want to know how many constituents you have.  Do not inflate your numbers.  They will find out and your credibility will be damaged.

Before you go into the appointment prepare remarks with the three main points you want to leave them with.  Role play.  Have someone be the editor asking you questions about what you are saying.

Do your homework.  The editors have.