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What is Community Media Watch (CMW)? |
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Community Media Watch is a media monitoring and media engagement
program that has been developed in response to the often negative,
inaccurate or misinformed portrayals of issues that affect the Arab
community. |
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Why is CMW so important? |
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Media are a powerful tool that are meant to be a reflection of the
communities they serve. What we hear and see in the media
significantly shapes Canadian public opinion and influences the
actions of decision makers, leaders and the general public.
Unfortunately the media don't always get it right and unless we
monitor and engage with them, our voices and our perspectives won't
necessarily be reflected. With so many outlets out there, engaging
the media can be far more effective if our efforts are coordinated
and the tasks divided. CMW seeks to do this by bringing together a
dedicated group of volunteers. |
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How does CMW work? |
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Each member will monitor a designated media outlet and forward any
articles to be posted on the site that require further action by
other group members. |
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How much time do I have to dedicate? |
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Everyone works on a different schedule. Some have more time than
others. You can be as active as you want. We just ask that you make
a commitment to monitor any particular media outlet and you do your
best to follow through. This could take as little as 15 minutes a
day. |
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What benefits can be gained by being part of CMW?
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CMW provides a unique opportunity to meet and work with new people
who are interested in the same issues/causes as you are. It will
also provide you with hands-on training and experience with learning
how to market yourself and your cause, how to influence public
opinion and increase your effectiveness in working with the media.
For more information, please contact:
780-473-7214 |
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How to Write a Letter to the
Editor |
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Make one point (or at most two) in your
letter, ideally in the first sentence. |
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Make your letter timely. If you are not
addressing a specific article, editorial
or letter that recently appeared in the
paper you are writing to, then try to
tie the issue you want to write about to
a recent news event. |
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Pay attention to the newspaper’s
coverage of the news event. Refute or
support specific statements, address
relevant facts that are ignored, but
avoid blanket attacks on the media in
general or the newspaper in particular. |
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Check the letter specifications of the
newspaper to which you are writing.
Length and format requirements vary from
paper to paper. (Generally, roughly two
short paragraphs are ideal.) You also
must include your name, signature,
address and phone number. |
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Monitor the paper for your letter. If
your letter has not appeared within a
week or two, follow up with a call to
the editorial department of the
newspaper. |
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Always sign your letters as an
individual or representative of a group
such as CAFA. |
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