today's targets from:
http://www.downingstreetmemo.com/takeaction.htmlMore than a month after this document was published, the news media in the US had produced barely a trickle of reports on it (mostly coverage about the lack of coverage). Most of the news giants had ignored it entirely; some have belittled its significance while actually rebuffing citizens’ requests for serious news reporting. The last few days have seen some progress, more coverage and good questions being asked. We are confident, however, that a campaign to inundate these journalists with earnest requests will continue to keep their attention focused (just as the Washington Post finally produced some reports after a recent deluge of letters).
Thus our campaign: Every weekday in June, in cooperation with other activists and bloggers, we will publicize contact information for three distinct media outlets. We ask that you:
• Write a brief letter requesting the journalists to report on the Downing Street Memos, stating succinctly why you believe the leaked document is significant for the US.
• Send that letter as an email to each of the day’s three contacts.
• Return the next day and contact the next three targets of our media campaign at this link:
http://www.downingstreetmemo.com/takeaction.htmlTARGETS FOR FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2005
1. Detroit News
Contact EITHER
Don Nauss, Deputy Managing Editor for News
email: dnauss@detnews.com
OR
Alison Bethel, Washington Bureau Chief
email: abethel@detnews.com
phone 202-662-7370 fax: 202-662-7385
2. San Antonio Express News
Contact EITHER
Asst. Managing Editor for News Robert Kaiser
email: rkaiser@express-news.net
phone: 210- 250-3114
OR
Washington Bureau Chief Gary Martin
email: gmartin@express-news.net
phone: 202-943-9237
fax: 202-333-1184
3. Reno Gazette-Journal
Contact EITHER
Executive Editor Tonia Cunning
email: tcunning@rgj.com
phone: 775-788-6357
OR
Washington Correspondent Doug Abrahms
email: dabrahms@gns.gannett.com
phone: 202-906-8124
fax: 202-906-8200
There have been no news stories in any of these papers, it seems. The only real sign of interest in any of the papers was a single, brief editorial in the Detroit News calling for a public investigation of the allegations. All three Washington Correspondents are likely to produce serious reports on DSM if they choose to cover it. Alison Bethel generally is willing to delve into real detail in her reports. Gary Martin is openly and frankly skeptical of the President’s credibility in general. Doug Abrahms is primarily interested in issues like energy policy; however he sometimes does politics as well and, having a good understanding of history, he’s likely to bring some necessary perspective to the entire range of issues.
Despite the memo’s disturbing and explosive revelations, there has been a virtual media blackout with some newspapers deliberately turning a blind eye to the Downing Street Memos. We hope you are already participating in the Awaken the Mainstreem Media campaign, and if you have time, contact other media outlets and ask them to do their job in reporting and investigating the information in the memo. Write a letter to the editor, call in to radio shows. It's time for the media to address real news.
MediaBlaster (Democratic Underground)—Here is the link:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/cu/cu.php?az=blasterMediaGuide (Townhall.com)—Here is the link:
http://capwiz.com/townhall/dbq/media/_______________________________________
my own personal letter:
SUBJ: Coverage of the Downing Street Minutes and questionable use of intelligence
Dear Sir/Madam:
As you know, on May 1 of this year a document now commonly referred to as “The Downing Street Memo” was released into the British Press. These minutes of a British cabinet meeting and several other recently released documents raise serious questions about how the administration was handling intelligence related to Iraq. At the very least, this documentation suggests that the Bush Administration was being disingenuous with the U.S. Congress and the American public on several gravely important issues.
The documentation strongly suggests that the Bush administration was determined to “fix intelligence” around a predetermined policy of war.
It is most disturbing that there has been little mention of any of these minutes of meetings between several senior British officials in much of the American media. Even more disturbing is the minimum coverage or discussion regarding strong, credible and independent evidence that the Bush Administration intentionally misled the U.S. Congress, the media and the American people.
I do hope you will address this issue and provide more in-depth and serious investigative journalism into this matter.
Sincerely,