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Write a Letter to the Editor
Letters to the Editor are one of the most widely read sections of the newspaper and reach a large audience. They allow community members to comment on the way issues are being addressed in the media and to influence what topics the local paper covers. Elected officials often monitor this section of the newspaper and take notice of constituents' opinions.
Addresses:
Take Action:
Letter to the Editor Tips:
Due to strict space limitations in newspapers, not all letters will be published, but the more letters the newspaper receives on a certain topic, the more likely they are to run at least one letter on the topic. Check the letter guidelines in your local paper and use these tips to write an effective letter to the editor:
* Include your contact information. Many newspapers will only publish a letter to the editor after verifying the author’s contact information. When printed, the letter will usually only include your name and city.
* Keep it short and focused. Many newspapers have strict length limits and edit letters for space. A concise, single-issue letter has a better chance of retaining its salient points and keeping the reader's interest.
* Make specific references. While some newspapers will print general commentary letters, most prefer letters that respond to a specific article. For example: "I was impressed by the comprehensive logging solution outlined in the May 5th article, 'Sustainable Logging on a Roll.'"
* Be factual and highlight aspects of the issue that haven’t been previously addressed.
* Send letters to smaller newspapers. Small newspapers are more likely to print your letter and the letter can then spark local community action.
Regional Papers:
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Washington Post
1150 15th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20071
letters@washpost.com |
Washington Business Journal
1555 Wilson Blvd, Suite 400
Arlington, VA 22209
Fax: (703) 875-2231 |
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Washington Times
3600 New York Ave NE
Washington, DC 20002
Fax: (202) 832-2982 |
Washington Examiner
Letters to the Editor
6408 Edsall Rd.
Alexandria, Va. 22312
threads@dcexaminer.com |
Maryland Papers:
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Prince George’s Gazette
8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 1200
Landover MD 20785
Fax: 301-731-2141
editor@gazette.net |
Montgomery Gazette
1200 Quince Orchard Blvd.
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Fax: 301-670-7183
editor@gazette.net |
University of Maryland Diamondback
3150 South Campus Dining Hall
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Fax: (301) 314-8358
commentary@dbk.umd.edu |
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Prince George's Post
15207 Marlboro Pike
Marlboro, MD 20772
Phone: (301) 627-0900
Fax: (301) 627-8147
pgpost@worldnet.att.net |
Prince George's Sentinel
P.O. Box 1247
Seabrook, MD 20703
Fax: (301) 306-9596 editor-pg@thesentinel.com
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Frederick News-Post
200 East Patrick Street
Frederick, MD 21701
Fax: (301) 662-8299 |
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Howard County Times
10750 Little Patuxent Parkway
Columbia, MD 21044
hcletters@patuxent.com
Fax: (410) 997-4564 |
The Capital (Anne Arundel Co.)
P.O. Box 911
Annapolis, MD 21404
Fax: (410) 268-4643
capletts@capitalgazette.com |
Frederick Gazette
13 E. Patrick St.
Frederick, MD 21701
Fax: 301-682-7234
editor@gazette.net |
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Washington Post Extras:
Charles, Calvert & St. Mary's: smextra@washpost.com |
Virginia Papers:
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Alexandria Gazette
1610 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
fax: (703) 548-2228 |
Fairfax Connection
1600 Scotts Crossing
McLean, VA 22102
fax: (703) 917-0991 |
Washington Post Extras:
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Loudoun Times-Mirror
9 East Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176
fax: (703) 771-0036 |
Fairfax County Newspapers
1760 Reston Pkwy., Suite 411
Reston, Va. 20190
Fax: 703-437-6019
fairfax@timespapers.com
(Reston Times, Herndon Times, Vienna Times, Chantilly Times, Centreville Times, Great Falls Times, McLean Times, Fairfax Times, Burke Times, Springfield Times, Annandale Times) |
Falls Church News Press fcnp@aol.com |
DC Papers:
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Washington Post District Extra: dcextra@washpost.com |
Common Denominator
680 Rhode Island Ave NE, Ste N
Washington, DC 20002
Fax: (202) 635-1449 |
More Information:
When you get a Letter to the Editor published, let us know and we'll post it here on this website! Email links to the LTE to Chris.Carney@SierraClub.org.
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