News-Talk Radio; Another Way to Reach Your Community

Air Force Magazine - April 1995, Pg. 80

News-talk radio was one of the little-known dimensions of the successful battle to prevent the National Air and Space Museum from displaying the Enola Gay in a politically biased manner.

Among AFA's national and grassroots efforts in the year-long fight, AFA spokesmen took to the airwaves 36 times, reaching virtually every region of the country. By discussing the Enola Gay controversy on popular talk radio programs, AFA spokesmen made more people aware of the issue, and more wrote their Congressmen and let the Smithsonian Institution know where they stood.

News-talk radio presents many opportunities for AFA chapters to spread the word about their activities as well. For example, a chapter aerospace education vice president could enlist a teacher from one of the "Visions of Exploration" classrooms the chapter is supporting and then approach a local talk radio program about explaining "Visions" to the local community. Chapter interaction with Air Force ROTC, special events commemorating World War II, and other activities of local interest are also areas that might appeal to a local radio audience.

Here are some tips:

* Assess your market. Listen to talk radio programs and get a sense of what interests the host and whether the program is pro-military or anti-military.

* Make a pitch to the producer of the radio program you are interested in appearing on.

* Translate your topic and messages into simple terms the host and the public will understand.

* Prepare yourself and other participants by considering tough questions and by assembling facts and supporting materials (you can have notes in front of you whether at the radio station or at home in front of your telephone).

* Be natural, keep your audience in mind, and keep focused on your basic messages.

You may contact the Air Force Association at 1501 Lee Highway, Arlington, Virginia, 22209-1198, or by email: com@afa.org