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MAP Media / Public Relations Guidelines

(presented at MAP Media Workshop, Saturday, April 5, 2003)

CONTENTS

 

Press Release Guidelines

  • Keep it simple, clear, and direct. (Put yourself in the place of the reader.)
  • Use a headline to highlight your message and attract attention.
  • Try to engage your reader from the start with a catchy lead paragraph.
  • Get to the point and then elaborate on it, with increasingly less important (but nevertheless essential) details in the paragraphs that follow.
  • Be sure of your facts. A reporter, columnist, or editorial writer must be able to depend on you for accurate information.
  • If you can do so legitimately, convey a sense of urgency without being histrionic, perhaps through a quote from the head of your organization.
  • If you do use quotes, go easy, and be sure they sound like something a real person would say (most quotes in releases are preachy and stilted).
  • Never use a long word when a short word will do.
  • Avoid jargon of any kind, especially legal and computer jargon.
  • Favor short sentences over long ones. When you do use a long sentence, try to follow it with a short, declarative one.
  • Leave no important question unanswered. Assume that your reader has never heard of your organization or cause and has little or no familiarity with your subject.
  • Stick to essential details. Don't try to be all inclusive.
  • Be sparing in the use of acronyms, and make sure they appear in parentheses immediately after the full name.
  • Limit your release to one or two pages, double spaced.
  • Include visual aids when you can--a map, photograph, etc.
  • Have someone else read the release to be sure it is interesting, understandable, and free of typos and misspellings.
  • Be professional--produce a clean, clearly printed, easy-to-read piece.

Excerpted from Getting the Word Out in the Fight to Save the Earth, published by Johns Hopkins, 1995

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Tips for appearing on TV and Radio

No amount of training and public relations experience can help one's effectiveness on the air if he or she has nothing to say, or if his or her position is untenable. However, plenty of people who have reasonable things to say about important issues do not do as well as they might. Do not be intimidated by the following warnings and advice. If you take heed, you will be more effective, but the most important thing is knowing your subject and knowing what you want to say.

General Advice

  1. Prepare, but do not overprepare. You cannot anticipate every question, and you can never predict the exact form in which even the most obvious ones will arise. Anticipate subject areas and specific problems, and think about brief, punchy answers, but don¹t memorize whole answer to questions you may not get.
  2. Conceive of a general theme. If you can develop a consistent framework, your answers will reinforce each other.
  3. Decide the major points you want to make. Think about how to work them into your answers to questions you are likely to receive. Often, you will get to mention only one or two. Stress them early and often.
  4. Start with your conclusion. You will have little enough time to present your position, so begin with the most important point.
  5. Be concise. The average sound bite is now about 8 seconds. But even if your appearance is live and unedited, long rambling answers are ineffective. When your interview is to be edited for a news show or documentary, think about how your answers or statements will sound standing alone. Learn how to estimate time, and try to keep answers no longer than 20 seconds.
  6. Be heard--use everyday, value-laden language. Use the language of your target audience and tap into their values. It isn't enough to just be heard; you must address your audience¹s concerns. Even if you think their beliefs are wrong, you must cover those beliefs in your conversation.
  7. Generalize. Don't let the side points or minor exceptions get in the way of your major point. When appropriate, start with answers like this: "For the most part, yes." "Sometimes." "Usually." "With some exceptions." Then discuss your major point. Make the interviewer ask another question to explore the side issues.
  8. Listen and wait. Make sure you understand the question before you answer. If you are confused, ask for clarification--it makes the interviewer look bad, not you. If you need to think about your answer for a moment, do so.
  9. Taped interviews will be edited. This is both good and bad. Long answers will be cut. Pauses can be deleted, so take your time to think. Themes will be destroyed, so make your points often. If you want to redo all or part of an answer for some reason, ask the interviewer to go back to a specific place; then give your corrected answer starting at the beginning--never in the middle--of a sentence.
  10. Remember who you are talking to--it's not the reporter. The reporter is not your friend or a debating partner to be convinced. Reporters are the means to an end. You must pass through them to have a conversation with a larger audience.
  11. Remember that everyone is listening. You are not speaking to movement people who share all your values and assumptions. Calling someone a "Bushite" or a "conservative" doesn¹t help when at least half your audience supports Bush and is conservative. Your goal is to appeal to the majority of people who don't know enough about the true situation to make up their minds, so avoid labels.
  12. Stay calm. Don't let an interviewer get you angry. Pause. Think. Smile. On a live show, state simply that the question is unfair or that the tone makes it very hard to have a productive discussion.
  13. Be a little early. You can relax once you're at the studio and you need to allow for foul-ups.
  14. Ask questions to learn the basics. Don't be afraid to find out about the format, who else will be on, who goes first, and especially, how long you'll be on.
  15. Anything you say had better be something you won't mind seeing or hearing on the air. Your slightest whisper will be picked up by a microphone. You must assume that a camera or tape recorder will be on at all times, anywhere in the studio. This cannot be overemphasized. The reason that this is the oldest trick in the books for interviewers is that it works all too often.

Excerpted from the Safe Energy Communication Council's Media Workshop Manual.

On Radio

  1. The focus is on your words. Be very clipped and precise. Every "uh" and "er" is magnified on radio.
  2. You cant win them over with a smile. Gestures don't help either. Nodding "yes" or "no" is a waste of time, but a lot of people answer that way. Pointing g or other emphasis with your body doesn't help. Sounding friendly on radio is very important, but it's harder to sound friendly than to be friendly. Smiling while you talk may help you give the right quality to your voice, but remember it's the voice that counts.
  3. Radio is an intimate medium. Don't shout; don't preach; don't give a speech. Use a gentle, conversational tone.

On TV

  1. Moderate gestures help make you interesting. Smiles, pointing, nods are good devices when used sparingly to drive home a major point.
  2. Everything you do is magnified. Think small. If you pick your nose or nails or scratch your head, it is the only thing people will notice. Sit still; don¹t swivel in your chair or dangle your legs.
  3. Act as if you are on camera at all times. You may think someone else is being pictured, but even if you see only one camera, there may be others. Do not slouch., Keep your feet together.
  4. Dress carefully and conservatively. Missing buttons, unshined shoes, etc. distract the audience. Even if your clothes are a political statement, the message is distorted in a studio setting. Extreme styles of any kind are dangerous.
  5. Use makeup. If they offer, accept the offer. Bring your own compact and put on your own makeup if they don¹t. Men: this means you! Get someone to help you find the right color. Women should avoid extreme makeup.

By Andrew J. Schwartzman, Media Access Project

In Advance of an On-Air Interview

  1. Watch and tape several shows. Insist that your spokesperson watch at least one show. Check camera angles and color of the background set. If the show is call-in or has an audience, alert your members and ask for their participation.
  2. Send materials to the producer. Call the day before and make sure they arrived. Check to make sure the materials were read by the person doing the interview. If not, hand-deliver another kit to the station and try to meet personally with the host or producer.
  3. Put in writing for your spokesperson: (a) Name and phone number of station; (b) contact name of host or reporter doing the interview; (c) call letters, channel and network affiliation of the station; (d) correct address and location of the interview; (e) time of expected arrival; (f) time the segment will be taped/aired; (g) names of other guests; (h) transportation arrangements.
  4. If the interview is done in your office or home: (a) Choose a quiet location that has no external noises. (b) Make sure the background is appealing to a viewer¹s eye. (c) Have someone in the room at all times to listen to the interview. (d) Turn off phones and paging systems.
  5. Last-minute tips. (a) Try to make friends with the host, producer, and technicians. (b) Before the opening, ask if it is better to look directly into the camera or at the host. (c) Wear a pin or small logo that relates to your organization. (d) Small jewelry is best. (e) Make sure the microphone rests in a comfortable place.
  6. After the program: (a) Send a note of thanks to the producer and host. (b) Have others in your organization do the same, as viewers. (c) Add the producer and host to your press list.

Excerpted from the Communication Consortium Media Center¹s ³Strategic Media.²

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Following Up Your Press Release with a Press Call

When you send out a press release, a personal follow-up by phone is essential, both to alert the media to a specific press event you are initiating and to remind the reporter of your organization. You can assume that the reporter or editor who has received your release is already on paper overload, and thus your phone call is an indispensable tool to get noticed. Phone calls are also the first step toward building personal relationships with representatives of the media.

Tips for Making Press Calls

  • Morning calls and even early evening calls, "down" times for reporters, usually allow more leisurely conversations. Mid or late-afternoon calls are less likely to be returned because of deadline pressure.
  • Be organized before you initiate OR take a press call. Have appropriate background materials, the names of spokespersons and press contacts, and where they can be reached at your fingertips before you get on the phone.
  • Open the call with "Are you on a deadline?" If yes, ask for a good time to call back. If no, assume that you have about 60-90 seconds to "pitch" your press event to the reporter; get to the who, what, when and where quickly. If the reporter indicates that more time is available, you can fill in the gaps.
  • Ask for the reporter¹s fax number and be prepared to re-send your release by fax (or e-mail) as a backup or reminder.

Tips for Responding to Press Calls

Enhance the credibility of your organization by dealing with any press call promptly and professionally. Be sure to find out before you begin to talk, the name of the reporter, the name of the news organization, their deadline, the purpose of the call, and their phone number.

Suggested Contents of Press Kits

  • Cover memo or press release
  • Fact sheets on the issue(s)
  • History of the issue(s)
  • Quotes or comments by experts
  • Selected press clippings
  • State-by-state or city-by-city analysis (if applicable)
  • Speeches or statements on the issue(s) (parts may be used as op-ed pieces)
  • Charts, visuals, or photographs
  • Background biography on spokesperson
  • Annual report(s)
  • Typeset copies of speeches or public testimony
  • Standard one-page description of your organization

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Media Web Sites

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Other Media Strategies

Remember, facts are meaningless in themselves. The meaning of facts comes from the story that surrounds them.

  1. Decide on your goal. What do you want to have happen?
  2. Decide on your target. Who can deliver the result you want? Be specific.
  3. Decide on your message. What would this person need to hear to take action, i.e., what story is he or she in? (There is no general public. Everyone is in a story.)
  4. Decide on your messenger. Who should/could this person hear the message from? (The messenger is as important as the message. Decide who else is in the story your want to tell. Strategize about this extensively.)
  5. Decide on your vehicle. How do you get the person the message? Does it have to be delivered in the mainstream or alternative media? Are there other avenues to get the word out?

These tips come from ActionMedia, an organization based in Minneapolis that provides media advocacy services to public interest groups. www.turnonthenews.com

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Who Does What?

Daily Newspapers

  • Editor, Managing Editor, or Executive Editor. Determines overall editorial stance of the newspaper (in conjunction with editorial page personnel) and the general thrust of news gathering.
  • Metropolitan or City Editor. Makes day-to-day decisions on what to cover and who will do it. Can refer you to the reporter who covers your beat.
  • Editorial Page Editor. Writes some or all editorials. Supervises any other editorial writers, and those responsible for selecting op-ed pieces and letters to the editor.
  • Sunday Editor. Assigns and oversees feature articles and other soft news in the Sunday paper, including sections on art, entertainment, life style, etc.
  • Feature Editor. Assigns, edits, and often writes human interest stories.
    Life Style Editor. Like Feature Editor, may work under Sunday editor. A good prospect for stories on people in your organization who are doing interesting things.
  • Columnist. Many tend to be generalists. Most have special interests as well, such as the outdoors, environment, politics, the arts.
  • Beat Reporter. Specializes in a particular field, such as environment, energy, education, labor, medicine, government.
  • Feature Writer. Specializes in stories about people, that is, human interest stories.

News Bureaus and Wire Services

The weekly newsmagazines (Time, Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report) also maintain editorial bureaus in key cities. Check mastheads for names of key staffers.) Ditto for Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI).

Many state newspapers and radio and TV stations have correspondents in the state capital.

Television and Radio

  • Executive Producer. Top banana for a particular program or series of programs.
  • Producer. Responsible for certain segments of a news program or a speciific program in a serises.
  • News Director. Responsible for the overall tone and content of news programs and, on small stations, assigns crews to cover particular stories.
  • Assignment Editor. On larger stations makes day-to-day decision on what to cover and who to send.
  • Station Manager. On smaller stations sets policy on news coverage and supervises overall operation.
  • Program director. May determine content and select participants of talk shows.
  • Public Affairs Director. In charge of public service announcements (free commercials) that you provide to be aired (usually) during off hours.

Excerpted from Getting the Word Out in the Fight to Save the Earth, published by Johns Hopkins, 1995

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Public Relations Primer
By Will Shapira, MAP Media Advisor

This Public Relations Primer is designed to help you and your organization communicate with your various audiences. PR is a very subjective craft and there are many ways to do things and get results (or not get results.) The following procedures are what have worked for me over the years. Feel free to modify them according to your experiences and gut feelings, of course. Also feel free to call upon me if I may assist you in any way.
Will Shapira, 612-920-0312, wshapira@aol.com.

Fundamental to conducting a good PR program is to know why you are communicating in the first place: What are your basic messages, to whom do you wish to address them, and why? What are your hoped-for/anticipated outcomes?

Once you have identified your basic messages and audiences, you need to determine how best each message should be conveyed to each audience: letter, phone call, email, website, via the media, or some combination of these.

The methodologies for all of these except the media are self-evident. Learning how to effectively use the various media is not. The necessity here is: know/learn how to produce effective news releases, letters to the ed, opinion pieces, and editorials. Writing these is simply a matter of stating your message(s) in clear, nontechnical, grammatically correct prose. You can refine and hone your skills through trial and error with colleagues before sending your pieces to the media. Letters and opinion pieces differ from news releases in that they not only are expository but almost always contain your organization¹s viewpoint on a given issue.
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News Release

Brainstorming the release. Before Word One is written, you and your colleagues need to agree on why a news release is being planned. Is it to call attention to an event? Raise money? Recruit new members? Whatever the purpose, it must be agreed upon before-hand by the organization and be clear in the writer¹s mind.

Then, gather some of the group's best thinkers and put yourselves in a reporter's shoes and ask yourselves: What would be the most difficult questions a reporter might ask us, based on our release? Be prepared to answer any and all tough questions before writing a single word. Remember: it is not the reporter's job merely to give you publicity but to inform the public. Thus, you may have to field some sticky questions on a variety of topics ranging from ideology to finances to relating your organization to current events, and more.

Writing the release. The media are swamped with printed and electronic news releases. I recommend that only one idea be imparted in any given news release. Do not use esoteric terminology or high-flown language. Write plainly and clearly so that everyone can understand it, as some publications may choose to print it verbatim. I would try to limit any given news release to two pages double-spaced or the electronic equivalent thereof. Format your news release as simply as possible. Most releases are done on letterhead stationery and have at the top the date of issuance and a headline. Make sure that at the end of your release, you list the names, street mail addresses, email addresses, phone and fax numbers for at least two organization members who can respond to media inquiries. Run it through Spellcheck and then read it face to face with at least one other organization member; Spellcheck is far from perfect.

SAMPLE

(On the organization's letterhead stationery)

Date

MINNESOTA ALLIANCE OF PEACEMAKERS HOLDS ANNUAL "CELEBRATION OF PEACE" NOVEMBER 12

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MINN.---The Minnnesota Alliance of Peacemakers
(www.mapm.org) will hold its annual "Celebration of Peace" at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 12, 2002 at the Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, Lyndale at Hennepin avenues, Minneapolis. Admission is $5 but students in free. Speakers will include ... entertainment will be provided by....and it will be a chance for people wishing to get involved in the peace movement to meet representatives of MAP's 48 members. For further information, please contact (name, phone number, email address, street mail address of three members of your organization who are comfortable answering questions about the release from the media)

Letters to the Editor

Generally, letters must be brief (150-300 words), concise, and clear, ending with an action step and contact information from the sender.

SAMPLE

To the editor: The Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers believes the public should become more active on behalf of causes furthering world peace. (Brief explanation of why and how.) For additional information contact MAP at...etc etc.

Signed (sender's name, organizational title, street address, phone number, email and website, though all of these may not get used.)

Op-ed Page Pieces

Generally, they can be fairly long (500-750 words; I would limit each to about a page and a half double-spaced typed or the electronic equivalent thereof). If they can be related to current events or something the publication/website has run earlier on the same topic, their chances of running are somewhat enhanced.

Again, conciseness and clarity and a final action step are the by-words. And again, the signatory must provide contact info.

Backgrounders

A third form of written communication is the backgrounder. It is much longer and more detailed than the news release but does not carry opinion---just detailed expository information designed to present a thorough presentation of a given topic. There is no specific reommended wordage to a backgrounder but it must be written with precision with no excess verbiage. Backgrounders should be "undated"--not tied to a specific event or time period.

SAMPLE

The Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers, an umbrella organization serving 48 separate peace-seeking groups in Minnesota, was founded in 1995 to...etc. etc. etc. Goals, objectives, some major accomplishments, honors etc. should be listed. End with: for further information, contact etc. Suggested length: up to 3 double-spaced typed pages or the electronic equivalent thereof.

Suggested Editorials

These are intended for community papers primarily but also should be sent to electronic media. They are prefaced with an introduction saying: Enclosed, a suggested editorial for your publication and-or website from (name of your group). If you have any questions please contact (with appropriate info as above.)

The suggested editorial should, like a letter to the editor, be fairly brief (maybe up to one typed page or the electornic equivalent thereof), and clear. It, too, should end with an action step and contact info for the reader to follow up on.

SAMPLE

The Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers believes the Bush Administration errs in its opposition to U.S. participation in the activities of the newly established International Criminal Court. (Give several reasons why we feel that way, and what you want readers to do: contact congressional reps, the president, whatever in each given case. Close with contact info at MAP.)

Media Monitoring

Someone in each organization should be designated as media monitor--preferably someone who already reads newspapers and listens to the news on radio and TV and might actually enjoy this assignment. (It could be more than one person.) Over time you'll learn what kinds of stories certain media favor and on the newspaper what topics and approaches editorial writers and columnists seem to favor.

Spokespersons

When offering stories to the media make sure you and two designated backup spokes-persons can participate effectively in an interview. This means first and foremost being thoroughly familiar with the topic, your organization¹s activity and its point of view. Also, try to anticipate difficult, probing media questions and work out the answers in advance and have them at the ready should they be asked. For TV, one must master the knack of speaking in short, snappy phrases. You must learn how to get across one major point; your audience is huge and you want them to know that your organization exists and possibly interest them in learning more about your issue.

Radio generally will allow you more time but not always. Newspapers may press you for many details so be prepared. Always have a copy of your news release/op-ed page piece/letter to the editor/backgrounder at hand for your use and that of the reporter if the interview is done in person.

Never assume the media are there to attack you or your organization or to promuglate its views and activities. If the media people are professional and honest, they will do neither but try to inform the public with your assistance. Never be hostile and never, ever lie to the media. If you don¹t know the answer to a question, say so but promise to get back to them ASAP with the requested information. And if there is a highly sensitive topic that is being inquired about, you must firmly but politely say "I'm not prepared to discuss this matter" and if a reporter presses you and asks why not, your answer must again be firm but polite, :It's our policy not to discuss this publicly," or in some cases, "I'm sorry but that information is proprietary to our organization." The main thing is: be aware that interviews can be touchy and edgy and sometimes downright uncomfortable and prepare accordingly. Practice "Devil's Advocate" Q&A with your colleagues beforehand.

Notifying the Media

This may be especially important to organizations that hold demonstrations. At the newspapers, you must make certain your news release goes to several sources including the city desk and photo assignment desk. If you know of a sympathetic reporter or columnist, that person should also get the release.You also should follow up with a phone call two days before the event. Never ask "Didyou get my release?" Instead, say, "Just called to find out if I can provide any furtherinformation." Different tone, same result: awareness, reminder. For radio and TV stations, make sure your release goes to the news director and the assignment editor. TV stations also have weekend assignment editors, so cover them, too.

Again, phone calls two days before the event are OK if done properly.


Distributing Your Materials

MAP, WAMM, and others have developed a good list of media, which is provided to you in your packet. Most news organizations will accept email materials. You will need to fax news releases and breaking stories, and follow up with phone calls. Make sure your faxes are sent to a specific person--if the appropriate name is not provided on the media list or through your own reading and listening research, call the outlet and ask to whom to send it.
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Other Possibilities for Placement of Ideas in Media

Star Tribune
Faith and Values: "A Question of Faith" column by Sandi Dinanni, sdinanni@ mn.rr.com
Karen Jostad, kjostad@startribune.com

Radio
"Evensong," WCAL-FM 89.3 M-F 9 pm. Music of reflection and meditation. Steve Staruch, 612-798-9225
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Local Newspapers

    Star Tribune
  • 425 Portland Ave., Minneapolis 55488, 673-4414, fax 673-4359; Tim McGuire, Editor, Published by McClatchy, which owns 11 daily papers and 13 community papers; Star Trib is largest, bought in 1998
  • All e-mails are sent to writer, initial(s), lastname@startribune.com
  • Letters to Ed, Opinions: opinion@startribune.com, or by fax 612-673-4359
  • Editorial Dept.: Marlene Jones, general contact, 612-673-4037; Susan Albright, 612-673-4777 (salbright); Eric Ringham, op-ed editor, 612-673-4392 ( eringham)
  • Newsroom: fax 673-4359; Sandy McKelvy, general contact (smckelvy), 612-673-1704; Anders Gyllenhaaf, editor; Scott Gillespie, managing ed; reporters Paul Gustafson (pgustafson), James Walsh (jwalsh). Bob Von Sternberg; Sharon Schmickle (sschmickle); photos Mike Zerby; Maura Lerner (mlerner), poll, opinions about the war; Warren Wolfe (wolfe) (also local news), "dueling protest groups"; Jon Tevlin, local war news (jtevlin)
  • Local news: Jeff Strickler (jstrickler) (news); Lucy Her (lher) (youth); Joe Kimball (Around St. Paul, runs Mon./Fri.) (joek); Nolan Zavoral (nzavoral); Randy Furst, 673-7382 (covers peace movement)
  • Religion: Joan McIntyre, 612-673-4396 (?); Karen Jostad, Faith & Values, 612-673-4000
  • Columnists: Chuck Haga (crhaga); Eric Black (eblack), 673-4414; Maria Elena Baca 673-4409
  • Business: Susan Peterson (sepeterson@startribune.com), Susan Feyder (sfeyder), Melissa Levy (mlevy)
  • Washington Bureau: McClatchy Newspapers, National Press Building, 529 14th St. NW, Washington DC 20045; Greg Gordon is good contact, wants to hear from peace people who come to Washington ( ggordon@mcclatchydc.com);
    St. Paul Pioneer Press
  • 345 Cedar St., St. Paul 55101, 651-222-5011, fax 651-228-5564 (ed pge).
  • Published by Knight Ridder, second largest newspaper publisher, owns 32 daily papers.
  • All e-mails are sent to writer@pioneerpress.com
  • Letters to Ed, Opinions: e-mail to letters@pioneerpress.com/ Questions? 228-5545
  • Editorial Department: 651-222-5011; Steve Dornfeld, Assoc. Editor
  • Newsroom: fax 228-5500; Vicki Gowler, Editor & Sr. Vice Pres., Catherine Straight, Managing Ed.; Glenda Holste, Foreign Affairs 651-228-5478, gholste@pioneerpress.com; is interested in peace movement and wants news
  • Local News, features: Chris Worthington, Managing Ed.; Laura Billings, stories about effects of policies on ordinary people (lbillings), 651-228-5584; Brian Lambert, media columnist (blambert), 651-228-5424; Toni Coleman,columnist (long harassment story) (tcoleman) 651-228-5442; Patrick Sweeney and Ruben Rosario, Capitol Report (psweeney) (rrosario); Rachel E. Stassen-Berger, political issues (rstassen-berger); Rick Shefchik, War in Iraq in twin Cities (rshefchik), 651-228-5577; Kermit Pattison (kpattison), 222-5011 (covers peace movement)
  • Education: Kristina Torres, higher ed. (ktorres), 651-228-2120;John Welbes, St. Paul school district (jwebles), 651-228-2175; Cindy Eggert, team leader for education, health & religious news, 615-228-2125
  • International Affairs Desk: Kate Parry
  • Washington Bureau: Knight Ridder, Suite 700, National Press Building, 529 14th St., Washington DC 20045; Tom Webb, 202-383-6049
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Neighborhood Papers

St. Paul

  • Merriam Park Post
    Monthly; Todd Melby, editor; Published by Merriam Park Community Council; Produced by Triangle Park Creative, Inc., 2600 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis 55406
    612-692-8560, ext. 220, fax 692-8563; todd@tripark.org
    Calendar: Neighborhood only
  • Grand Gazette and Highland Villager
    757 Snell Ave. S., St. Paul 55116-2250, 651#-699-1462, fax 699-6501 - Gazette, published monthly on Saturday; Villager, published every other Wednesday
  • Park Bugle, POB 8126, Como Station, St. Paul 55108, published last Thursday of month
  • Midway Como Monitor 1885 University Ave., #110, St. Paul 55104; 651-645-7045
    Manag. Ed.: Dennis Woulfe, denisw@aplacetoremember.com. Letters, news releases
  • Lillie Suburban Newspapers, 2515 E. 7th Ave., North St. Paul 55109, 651-777-8800
    • Area A: By subscription: Ramsey County Review, Maplewood Review, Oakdale-Lake Elmo Review cover communities of North St. Paul, Maplewood, Oakdale, Lake Elmo, White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, Gem Lake, Western Mahtomedi, and Landfall, circulation 27,500. Distributed every Tuesday and Wednesday
      Area B. Free, New Brighton Bulletin, Shoreview bulletin, St. Anthony Bulletin--cover New Brighton, Mounds view, Shoreview, Arden Hills, Vadnais Heights, North Oaks and St. Anthony. Circulation 26,500; every Wednesday
      Area C: Free, Roseville Review--covers Roseville, Little Canada, Lauderdale, Falcon Heights, and northern portion of St. Paul; circulation 16,500; distributed Tuesdays
      Area D: Free, East Side Review, covers East St. Paul; circulation 20,000, every weekend
      Area E: Free, Woodbury-South Maplewood Review; circulation 12, 250, Tuesdays
      Area F: free, South-West Review--covers South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota, lilydale,m Sunfish Lake; circulation 20,500; every week

Minneapolis

Citywide Papers

  • City Pages POB 59183, Minneapolis 55459
    Editor: Steve Perry; publisher: Mark Bartelsenio; Eds: Beth Hawkins (investigations), Britt Robson (sports/features); Brad Zeller (features).
    Weekly. Has one in-depth article per issue, sometimes p&j topics. Calendar: Readings and lectures. Letters: must refer to material in City Pages. letters@citypages.com, fax 612-372-3737 attn Letters to Ed. Voice mail letter to ed: 612-372-3777 up to 3 minutes; www.citypages.com
  • Pulse of the Twin Cities, 3200 Chicago Ave. S., Minneapolis 55407, 612-824-0000, fax 822-0342, www.pulsetc.com. Publisher/editor: Ed Felien. editor@pulsetc.com
    Weekly. One in-depth article per issue, good p&J topics. Letters.
  • Good Age, 570 Asbury St. Suite 305, St. Paul 55104; fax 651-917-1827, tec@wilder.org.
    Monthly. Deadline middle of previous month. Letters
  • Minnesota Women¹s Press, 771 Raymond Ave., St. Paul 55114, 651-646-2968, fax 2186, www.womenspress.com
    Biweekly. calendar@womenspress.com. Deadline every other Monday 10 days before publication. Announcements $50 for 20 words, $70 for 21-40 words.
  • twincities Wellness P.O. Box 897, Stillwater 55082; 612-338-0164, fax 651-351-9014; info@tcwellness.com. Monthly.
    Manag. Ed: Lynn S. LaFroth; Columnists: Matthew Wood, Robin Asbell.
    Calendar: $20 for 45 words by 15th of month

Multicultural Papers

  • Asian American Press 417 University Ave., St. Paul. 651-224-6570, fax 224-7032; aapress@aapress.com. Weekly. Managing Ed.: Tom LaVenture. Calendar--lectures, cultural events, resources
  • Asian Pages published by KITA Associations, Inc., PO Box 11932, St. Paul 55111-0932, 952-884-3265, fax 888-9373; asianpages@att.net; www.asianpages.com. Biweekly. Cheryl Weiberg, editor-in-chief.
    (Member of Multi-Cultural Media Coalition, Minnesota Newspaper Association)
  • Hmong Times 379 University Ave., St. Paul 55103, 651-224-9395, fax 228-9049; cheu@hmongtimes.com; www.hmongtimes.com
    Published 1st and 16th of month; publishers Cheu Lee and Dick Wetzler. Has articles about events, no calendar
  • Insight News Journal for Business and the Arts, POBox 581367, Minneapolis 55458
    612-588-1313, fax 588-1367
    Minority community development issues
    Al McFarland, President and Editor; Brandt Williams, reporter
  • La Prensa de Minnesota 550 Concord St., St. Paul 55107, 651-224-0404, fax 224-0098; laprensa@winternet.com, www.laprensa-mn.com
    Weekly Latino newspaper for news, business, arts & entertainment
  • One Nation News 3010 Hennepin Ave. So. #121, Minneapolis 55408;
    612-861-9006, fax 869-8597
    Weekly; black audience; Black Heart Publishing, Jae Bryson, publisher and CEO; LisaDolan, copy editor.
    Letters 250 words editor@onenationnews.com; www.onenationnews.com
    Has short calendar (event for Friends for Nonviolent World under "Religion")
  • The Circle 3355 36th Ave. So., Minneapolis 55406; 612-722-3686, fax 3773, CircleMPLS@aol.com; circulation 15,000.
    Native American News and Arts, monthly. Uses letters to ed

Religious Papers

  • MetroLutheran, monthly, distributed in over 700 Lutheran congregations last Sunday of each month. Editor Michael Sherer. 122 W. Franklin Ave. Suite 214, Minneapolis 55404; 612-872-8653 fax 872-1724; metrolutheran@usa.com. Material in by 8th day of previous month. www.metrolutheran.org, letters
  • Soundings, newsletter of Episcopal church, bimonthly; 430 Oak Grove St. Suite 306, Minneapolis 55403, 612-871-5311. Editor: Susan Barksdale
  • Minnesota Messenger (MN Council of Churches) 122 W. Franklin, Suite 100, Minneapolis 55404, 612-870-3600
  • Catholic Spirit 244 Dayton Ave., St. Paul 55102-1893, 651-291-4444
    Assoc.. Producer: Robert Zyskowski, Editor: Mike Lrokos. News ed: Pat Norby

School Papers

  • Minnesota Daily 2301 University Ave. SE, Minneapolis 55414, 612-627-4080. Editor: Tod Milbourn; Managing Ed: Jeff Thompson.
  • Mac Weekly
  • The Oracle, published by students at Hamline, Mail Box 18, Hamline U, St. Paul 55104; material due Monday
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Radio Stations

Local

  • KFAI -FM 1808 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis 55454, 612-341-3144, fax 612-341-4281, info@kfai.org
    Don Olson, producer, 612- 724-2976; Lydia Howell, producer, 612-338-3407 (h); Caitlin, KFAI News, x. 18 (?)
  • KMOJ 501 Bryant Ave. No., Minneapolis, 612-374-5615; Al McFarlane
  • KNOW 91.1 FM 45 E. 7th St., St. Paul, 651-290-1500; Member, listener services, 290-1212
  • KSJN 99.5 FM See KNOW
  • KS95 Radio 3415 University Ave., St. Paul, 651-646-4141, studio line 651-989-5795
  • KSTP-AM 1500 3415 University Ave., St. Paul 55114, 651-647-1500¹, program talk line 646-8255
  • Minnesota Public Radio, 45 E. 7th Street, St. Paul MN 55101, 651-290-1500, fax 290-1295 on air # 651-227-6000; member/listener service 290-1212
  • WCAL FM 89.3-Music & Ideas 1520 St, Olaf Ave., Northfield, 612-0798-9225
  • WCCO Radio AM 830 90 S. 11th St., Minneapolis; Steve Murphy, News Director; 612-333-9181, fax 370-0611
  • WLTE - Lite Music 104.1 625 - 2nd Avenue So., #550, Minneapolis, 612-399-0333
    Ideas for programs: Kevin McLocklin, 952-915-6728; Public Service Announcements 612-399-3404
  • WMNN News Radio 1330 AM 331 11th St. S., Minneapolis, 612-321-7200, newsroom 321-7211

National

National Public Radio, 635 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington DC 20001-3753, 202-513-2000, fax 513-3329; ombudsman@npr.org
Morning Edition, 202-513-2150, fax 513-3329, morning@npr.org
All Things Considered, 2025 M St. NW, Washington DC 20036, 202-513-2110, atc@npr.org
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TV Stations

Local

  • FOX29 1701 Broadway St. NE, Minneapolis, 612-379-2929
  • KARE-11 8811 Olson Memorial Hwy., Minneapolis, 763-546-1111
  • KMSP Channel 9 11358 Viking Drive, Eden Prairie, 952-944-9999, fax 952-942-0455; assign. ed.: Kelly Huffman, 952-946-5654
  • KSTP Channel 5 63415 University Ave., St. Paul 651-646-5555, fax 651-642-4409; assignment ed, daily news: Margaret Hart , 642-4412, mhart@kstp.com
  • Minneapolis Telecommunications Network-MTN (Channel 6) 125 S.E. Main St., Mpls., MN. 55414; Pam Colby, 612- 331-8575
    Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) 172 E, 4th St., St. Paul, 651-229-1330
  • WCCO Channel 4 90 S. 11th St., Minneapolis, 612-339-4444

National

  • ABC News, 47 W. 66th St., New York NY 10023, 212-456-7777; general e-mail netaudr@abc.com; DC Bureau: 202-222-7777
    President ABC News: David Westin, 47 W. 66th St., New York NY 10023
    Peter Jennings @ ABC World News Tonight, 212-456-4040 fax 456-2795
    Ted Koppel c/o Nightline, 1717 DeSales St. NW, Washington DC 20036, 202-222-7000, niteline@abc.com
    Nightline, 47 W. 66th St., New York 10023, 212-887-4995
    20/20, 147 Columbus Ave. 10th fl., New York NY 10023, 212-456-2020, fax 456-0533, 2020@abc.com
    Good Morning America, 147 Columbus Ave., New York NY 10023, 212-456-5900, fax 456-7257; netaudr@abc.com
  • CBS Evening News (Dan Rather), 524 W. 57th St., New York 10019, 212-975-3691 or 202-457-4385, fax 975-1893, evening@cbsnews.com
    Face the Nation, 2020 M St. NW, Washington DC 20036, 202-457-4321
    The Early Show, 212-975-2824, fax 975-7133 or 2033
    60 Minutes II, 524 W. 57th St., New York NY 10019, 212-975-4321, fax 975-1893; DC Bureau phone 202-457-4385
    This Morning, same address, 212-975-2824
  • CNN, 1 CNN Center, Box 105366, Atlanta GA 30303-5366, 404-827-1500, fax 827-1906, cnn.feedback@cnn.com
    Washington Bureau, 820 First St. NE, Washington DC 20002, 202-898-7900, fax 898-7923
    Crossfire, 111 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington DC 20001, 202-898-7655, fax 898-7611
    Larry King Live, 202-898-7690, fax 898-7686
  • Fox News Channel, 1211 Ave. of Americas, New York NY 10036, 212-301-3000, fax 301-4229; comments@foxnews.com
  • MSNBC, 1 MSNBC Plaza, Secaucus NJ 07094, 201-583-5000, fax 583-5453, world@msnbc.com
  • Public Broadcasting, 1320 Braddock place, Alexandria VA 22314, 703-739-5000, fax 739-8458
    Bill Moyers, 450 W. 33rd St., 7th Fl, New York NY 10001, 212-560-8600
    Jim Lehrer Newshour, 3620 So. 27th St., Arlington VA 22206, 703-998-2150, newshour@pbs.org, POB 2626, Washington DC 20013, 703-898-2870. Local contact is Fred de Sam Lazaro
  • NBC, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York 10112, 212-664-4444, fax 664-4426
    Meet the Press, 4001 Nebraska Ave. NW, Washington DC 20036,202-885-4200
    Today Show, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York 10112, 212-664-4249
    Tom Brokaw@ NBC Nightly News, 212-664-4971 or 202-885-4259, fax 202-362-2009, nightly@nbc.com
    NBC News' Today, 212-664-4602 or 202-885-4231, fax 664-4426, today@nbc.com
    Dateline NBC, 212-664-7501, fax 664-7864, dateline@nbc.com
    Washington Bureau, 4001 Nebraska Ave. NW, Washington DC 20016, 202-885-4200, fax 362-2009

TV Shows

  • ABC TV Network Group, 2040 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles CA 90026
  • CBS Entertainment, 7800 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90036
  • Fox Entertainment Group, P. O. Box 900, Beverly Hills CA 90213
  • NBC Entertainment, 3000 W. Alameda Ave., Burbank CA 91523
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National Newspapers

  • Christian Science Monitor, CSM Publishing Society, 1 Norway St., Boston MA 02115, 800-225-7090
  • Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles CA 90012, 800-528-4637 or 213-237-5000, fax 237-4712, letters@latimes.com
  • New York Times, 229 W. 43rd St., New York 10036, 212-556-1234, fax 556-3690, nytnews@nytimes.com
    President: Janet L. Robinson, president@nytimes.com
    Publisher: Arthur Sulzberger Jr., publisher@nytimes.com
    DC Bureau: 202-862-0300
  • USA Today, 7950 Jones Branch Dr., McLean VA 22108, 800-872-0001 or 702-854-3400, fax 854-2165, editor@usatoday.com
  • Wall Street Journal, 200 Liberty St., New York 10281, 212-416-2000, fax 416-2658, editors@interactive.wsj.com
  • Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington DC 20071, 202-334-6000, fax 334-5269, ombudsman@washpost.com

Magazines

  • Newsweek, 251 W. 57th St., New York 10019, 212-445-4000, fax 445-5068, letters@newsweek.com
  • Time Magazine, Time & Life bldg., Rockefeller Center, New York NY 10020, 212-522-1212, fax 522-0323, letters@time.com
  • US News and World Report, 2400 N St. NW, Washington DC 20037, 202-955-2000

Wire Services

  • Associated Press, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York NY 10020, 212-621-1500, fax 621-7523
    DC Bureau: 202-776-9400
    Local Bureau: 612-332-2727, fax 342-5299
  • United Press International, 1400 Bye St. NW, Washington DC 20006, 202-898-8000
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