BIASED COVERAGE OF THE COURTS
SAMPLE LETTER TO THE EDITOR

[date]

 

Dear__________

 

I am writing today about your recent coverage of the [insert name of the case or issue, and date of publication].  As one of our city’s most prestigious media outlets you are a main source of information for many of the people in our community.  For this reason you have a great responsibility to report the news in a fair and balanced fashion.

 

This responsibility is increased significantly when it comes to your coverage of the workings of our government in general and our courts in particular.  This is so important because it is essential to the success of our democracy to have an educated and informed public.  Most of us will not have the chance to sit in the halls of Congress or witness the workings of our federal courts, so it of the utmost importance that we are able to rely on media outlets like the [insert name] to provide us with fair, balanced, and thorough coverage of these institutions. 

 

Unfortunately your coverage of [insert name of the case or issue] failed to meet these standards. [briefly explain why].  I hope that in this future, as you cover the federal courts, you will make every effort to provide our [insert city or community] with that crucial yet fundamental service of fair and balanced coverage of these proceedings.

 

Thank you.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

[insert your name]