Tea, Anyone? Mass Media Neglecting Massive Party
With more than 2,000 "Tea Party" Rallies (see TEA and WND) scheduled across America April 15, some citizens are noticing a lack of media "support" in helping to announce this nationwide grassroots protest event to the public.
Here is a report from rally organizer Laurel West of Woodbridge, Va. Woodbridge is located in Prince William County, some 20 miles from Washington, D.C. She writes to Pro-Existence:
West says she submitted a "Tea Party" announcement (below) to the following news and information outlets in the area:I believe it should be noted that many of our United States Citizens have expressed a desire to invoke our constitutional rights. We are executing our right to public assembly. Unfortunately, we are not granted the support of “Mass Media.” According to Wikipedia, "Mass media" is a term used to denote a section of the media specifically envisioned and designed to reach a very large audience. Accordingly, “Mass media” can be used for various purposes:
* Advocacy, both for business and social concerns. This can include advertising, marketing, propaganda, public relations, and political communication.
* Public service announcements.
Newspapers
Potomac News & Messenger
Old Bridge Observer
Belvoir Eagle
The Examiner
Washington Post, Prince William Metro Section
Washington Times
TV stations
WETA (PBS 26), Arlington, Va.
WJLA (ABC-7), Arlington, Va.
AIM (Ch. 69), Arlington, Va.
FCAC (Ch. 10, 30, 37), Fairfax, Va.
FCCTV (ch. 12), Falls Church, Va.
Radio
WGTS
Virginia’s Positive Hits radio stations
This adds up to 13 contacts with local print, radio, and TV media, some of which have national reach. "To date," West concludes, "we have seen no coverage or notification of this event."
Here is the announcement West submitted to the media outlets mentioned above:
Dear Editor:
A group of citizens in Woodbridge are organizing a TEA Party rally on the grounds next to Prince William Parkway in front of the McCoart Administration Center at noon to 2:00 pm on April 15, 2009 the day tax returns are to be mailed. The TEA Party is part of a national movement to protest the spending of trillions of dollars which will leave our great-grandchildren a debt they must pay. We would like your support in giving this event the widest circulation possible. For more detailed information about this cause please see http://www.teapartyday.com.
With gratitude, Laurel West
