Paper Topic:

Mass Communications

I have not knowingly experienced a media mistake , but I have tried to contact a radio station for a similar reason . Shortly after Hurricane Wilma , I was driving on the highway and heard an ad for vacationers to visit Florida . It said , Now is a good time to visit Florida ' I thought this was in poor taste , as Wilma was the eighth hurricane to hit the state in 15 months

At the time of the ad , Florida was still recovering from the damage of Hurricane Wilma . Officials had been concerned that thousands of

people ignored a mandatory evacuation in the Florida Keys . Even the Miami airport had been shut down . According to CNN .com , on October 25 2005 , West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel was quoted as saying "Power 's out in the entire county . We 're getting reports of roofs and window damage , some collapsed buildings " At least six people were killed and more than 3 .2 million homes and businesses were without power , affecting more than 6 million people

I tried to contact the radio station directly by calling the number that the DJ often mentioned for winning prizes . There was no answer at that number . I suppose the DJs were too busy with on-air issues to take a call at that time . Unfortunately , I arrived at my destination and decided to let the matter drop . I did not want to have them take my call on-air anyway

If I had been more persistent , I would have tried to contact the station via their main number . I probably would have asked to speak to the station manager , even though I know I would have had to talk to many other people first

I would also consider sending a letter to the station manager . I believe the media takes you more seriously if you put your opinions in writing . Anyone can spout off over the phone , but it takes real commitment to make a complaint by mail

I imagine that it would be a little easier with a news . Newss have editors that are responsible for content , and I am sure they appreciate input from the public . That is probably truer for errors than for opinions like the one I had about the ad . Most newss have Op-Ed pages for readers to have their opinions published . As for reporting errors , the editors usually research the error extensively and then print a retraction . All a radio station can do is announce the error . There is no guarantee the same listeners are still listening however

As for a TV station , I would probably use the same tactic as the radio station . I would call the main number and try to speak to the station manager . I would also consider writing a letter . If the station was located close by , I might even consider trying to talk to someone in person . This may even make more of a positive impression and cause them to take me more seriously...

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