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Make your voice heard at your state capital

Media Literacy Now is putting the issue of Media Literacy on the public policy agenda to raise awareness about the urgent and critical need for students to learn key 21st century skills.

For Media Literacy Week we are launching an outreach campaign to state legislators across the country, to introduce them to the concept of, and urgent need for, Media Literacy education in our schools. While the legislative action will vary from state to state, we are pushing legislators to elevate media literacy education as a priority in our schools

Policy change requires many voices to speak up. We invite you to join us in this effort.

With Washington at an impasse, much of the policy action in our country is happening at the state level. According to analysis by CQ RollCall, states passed 45,000 bills and resolutions while Congress passed 352 in its last session.

At the state level, you can truly make a difference with one letter, one phone call, one meeting.

Send your letter by email, this week.

Please take a moment to review the letter and a few easy steps to do right now.

The sample letter

The steps
  • Look up your representatives’ contact information at openstates.org
  • Download the sample letter, personalize it as desired, and add a specific request of your legislator (for ideas see list at the right).
  • Sign and don’t forget your address. Your status as a constituent in your legislator’s district is important.
  • Add subject line and send.
    For example … SUBJECT: Take a stand on Media Literacy, an urgent public health issue
Choose a specific request for your letter

I’d like to request a meeting / phone call with you to talk further about these issues. Please reach me at ___________ .  [phone/email]

This is an urgent issue. If you’re ready to take action, please reach out to our state Media Literacy Now chapter leader, ______________.  [see chapters]

This is an urgent issue. If you’re ready to take action, please contact Media Literacy Now at info@medialiteracynow.org or 617 744.9563 [if no state chapter]

Policy to elevate Media Literacy as a priority in each state’s education system, will pave the path for programs and curriculum. This action benefits us all as passionate media literacy educators, and as members of a media-literate society.

Phone calls work too. Make a phone call if you prefer a human touch. The phone in your legislators’ office always gets answered.

For an extra powerful impact, send your letter by snail mail!

Your questions and comments are welcome in the comment section below. And please let us know who you contact and what response you get!

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