You don't have to be rude to the reporters, but you do need to put in writing what was inaccurate and suggest how they might not make that error again. Most reporters enjoy relationships with experts in the areas that they cover. These relationship assure them quality information and reliable resources. Make sure you build your relationships in this way. One of the first goals of the Michigan Worthy Wage Coalition was to alter this perspective and put it right.
Reporters do respond to readers, viewers and listeners.
We will not allow poor reporting on children's issues. We are educated far more than they are about children's issues, and we can help them to do their jobs better. But if you don't open your eyes, ears and mouths and get active, the media cannot be blamed for poor reporting. When the Michigan Worthy Wage Coalition formed nearly five years ago, it was just part of a national public awareness campaign to change the working conditions for child care professionals. To do that, we had to shift the focus of child care stories from horror tales about the few dangerous situations to how child care impacts all of us.