Media Maccabee
guide to writing action alerts
An "action alert" is a message created by an activist to spread the message that there is something they wish their fellow activists to respond to.  For Media Maccabee, the event is likely to be a newspaper article, a television show or something heard over radio.

Media Maccabee has many different people writing action alerts which are then sent out to all the activists on the mailing list.  It is therefore necessary that a standard format is used.  I will give the format for action alerts first, then explain each section. 
Name of Newspaper, Date/Month/Year, State
Headline

Page
Journalist &/or Agency
Link:
URL of article
Brief Discription of Article: If there is no online link, give a description of what the article is about

Discussion Points:
*
Itemised list of things that are wrong.  E.g Bias, Incorrect information, loaded language, lack of context.

Contact Details: the details for sending a letter to the paper.  Street address, phone, fax, email etc

Researchers Name: A pseudonym goes here and name of organisation.
________________________________________________________________________________
Most of the above is fairly self explanatory, however, a little further detail for some sections might be needed.

*Name of Newspaper -Date, Month, Year - State, Page number:
These are necessary for identifying when and where the article appeared

*Journalist/Agency - It is necessary to identify who wrote the article.  Sometimes the journalist isnt identified but an agency such as Reuters, AP, AFP etc is,

*Link:
This is for the URL to the article if it is online.  Rather than pasting the article into the alert, it is best just to give the link.

*Brief Description of Article:
If the article is not online, a description of its content is needed.

*Discussion Points:
This is to give an itemised list of reasons why you have singled the article out for an alert.  See
spotting media bias for further information.

*
Researchers Name:
This is so the activist can claim their work.  Pseudonyms are used online as many our opposition groups are propagandists for terrorist organisations like Hamas and Hezbollah.  By avoiding real names online, we reduce the risk of harrassment.  Real names and contact details only need to be provided to newspapers when ever you contact them.   The space for organisation is there only to use if you are officially representing an organisation.  Do not use an organisations name without their consent.









Template for Action Alerts
OZ Media Maccabee site guide
Jump Box