{"id":162271,"date":"2020-06-02T22:51:28","date_gmt":"2020-06-02T22:51:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.one.org\/ca\/how-to-get-the-medias-attention-on-global-covid-19-news\/"},"modified":"2023-11-13T15:37:43","modified_gmt":"2023-11-13T15:37:43","slug":"write-letter-editor-covid19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.one.org\/ca\/stories\/write-letter-editor-covid19\/","title":{"rendered":"How to get the media\u2019s attention on global COVID-19 news"},"content":{"rendered":"

Media coverage about COVID-19 has been non-stop. But, despite the global scale of the situation, Canadian media coverage about the effects of COVID-19 has largely focused on the impact here. While, understanding the effect on Canadians lives, the economy and the healthcare system, global perspectives are also essential to understanding the true sense of the situation.<\/p>\n

This is where you can help: Letters to the editor of local papers from Canadians like you can help fill an important gap and raise awareness about what\u2019s happening in the world and how Canada can help. These letters are also a great way to get the attention of key decision makers.<\/p>\n

Here are some key tips to help you write your letter.<\/p>\n

Write your letter as a response to an event or a recently published article<\/strong><\/p>\n

Responding to an event or a recently published article will make your letter more relevant and increases your chances of getting published. A recent event relevant to COVID-19 that you can use as a \u201chook\u201d for your letter is Canada\u2019s announcement of its support to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and End Polio on May 12<\/a>. As the development for a COVID-19 vaccine is getting more media coverage, so should the need for equitable access to it for everyone, everywhere.<\/p>\n

Use some facts or stats <\/strong>
\nNot a policy expert? No worries! We have plenty of resources that you can use. One of them is our ONE Africa COVID-19 Tracker<\/a>, where we pull the latest reliable data from global institutions, governments, and universities to explore the health, economic, and social impacts of the virus on African countries. Have a look at the tracker here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can also quote the experts we have been interviewing during our #PassTheMic campaign, like ONE\u2019s President and CEO, Gayle Smith<\/a> or President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf<\/a>, is the former president of Liberia.<\/p>\n

Mention your MP and your riding by name <\/strong>
\nYou MP and their staff pay close attention to the media so by mentioning your riding and MP by name, you will more likely get their attention to this issue.<\/p>\n

Connect it to a personal experience and why you care<\/strong>
\nYour passion and conviction can go a long way. Speak from the heart! Here are a few ideas that might resonate with you…<\/p>\n