Your RTL Newspaper: It's Amazing What It Can Do.(Brief Article)

Your chapter or state newspaper is an extremely versatile tool which serves the dual purposes of allowing the Movement to "talk" to itself, if you will, and of playing a significant role in shaping the image outsiders have of you as pro-lifers. Properly utilized (and working in conjunction with your web page), it will effectively communicate the kinds of people who make up your chapter and what you are about.

How much of a priority your newspaper is depends on a host of factors, principally how much of your resources you can (or desire) to put into it and the extent of your volunteer support. There is enormous variety in pro-life newspaper (some are very sophisticated while others are less so). Therefore, this article will speak very generally about (a) what your newspaper objectives may/should be, (b) the content of what you might put in the newsletter, (c) who your target audience(s) should be, and (d) the basic components found in any good newspaper.

Basic Objectives

Most important, your newsnewspaper is a teaching/motivating vehicle which enlightens and energizes your readers and promotes your organization. Motivation does not refer merely to rah-rah type stories, although that is important. Rather it is the motivation that comes, thanks to your publication, when a person feels equipped to argue the issue intelligently.

Characteristics of a Solid Pro-Life Newspaper

*Accuracy. If your publication fails that test, your credibility will be shot in record time. It is absolutely critical.

*Timeliness. Much of the time your publication will act as a "bulletin board." The information about a bake sale will be a flop if it arrives in people's homes two days after the sale. But since your publication will come out (at best) monthly, this is only possible if you plan carefully in advance.