Newspapers and Television Stations Need to Hear From You

By Suzanne Stanmeyer

It is common to use a letter to the editor to voice a complaint. When you see misinformation in a newspaper, you write a letter to the editor. When you see an ad you find offensive, you write a letter to the editor.

But what should you do when you read a column that affirms life? Or when you see an article that accurately presents the facts? You write a letter to the editor. Let's take a recent example.

In early July, Cal Thomas, a nationally syndicated columnist, wrote a powerfully eloquent column opposing embryo-destructive stem cell research. Darla St. Martin, NRLC's associate executive director, called Mr. Thomas to thank him for the wonderful job he did.

Mr. Thomas was very appreciative of the compliment but also remarked that newspaper editors were the ones who really needed to hear the positive feedback. They need to know when they run stories that have resonated with readers.

Newspaper editors do respond to positive feedback, just like the rest of us. They watch the number of responses each story/op-ed receives to gauge reader sentiment.

Those who endorse embryo-destructive stem cell research are gaining momentum by sending letters to the editor, writing editorial pieces, and lobbying congressional leaders. When proponents see a column or a news segment on television that opposes stem cell research, you can be sure they react by writing letters or making phone calls to complain.

If you are the editorial page editor, and you hear nothing but good when you run a story or op-ed in favor of using embryos for research purposes, and nothing but criticism when you run a column such as Cal Thomas's in opposition, what conclusion would you reach?

Our task is clear: we need to express our support for columns that affirm life and present the facts fairly.

Write letters to the editor of your local paper when you see good articles. Compliment the editor on his or her choice of subject matter and on the angle used for the story. Point out particular parts of the article that you found provocative or particularly articulate.

The names of editors are easy to find. Generally they are listed in the masthead of the paper. You can also call the general information desk at the newspaper and ask for the name of the editor who covers a certain beat. Usually you'll be looking for the health, science, or politics editor.

And don't forget that many/most newspapers accept letters sent via e-mail.

Your local television stations can also use a word of thanks for a job well done. Most local stations have web sites with e-mail addresses for public response, although letters are useful as well.

Send a positive response to the news producer. Or call the general number for the local television station and ask for the name of the producer of the news program you were watching.

Responding to the editor or producer can be a highly effective method for increasing balanced media coverage on life issues. If columns like the one Cal Thomas just wrote go unmentioned by pro-lifers, or worse yet, are only met with complaints from pro-aborts, we may stop seeing them altogether.

You can be an effective catalyst for change by responding not only when you see the offensive or misleading stories, but by responding positively to life-affirming columns. Remember, you can always catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.