One of the major problems that the OLP has during election campaigns is the lack of voter recognition. That is a direct result of our lack of media attention. All the major parties, even the Greens, are regularly mentioned in the press during election campaigns. Though the Ontario Greens are relatively insignificant, they still get some coverage.
One way we might be able to crack the "media nut" is to make ourselves more available to them by "getting into their face."
Here are some excerpted comments between Andrew Moran and me after I posted this about the Ontario 2012 Budget on Digital Journal. Andrew's comments are below, including his followup emails.
Andrew: "Too bad the LP didn't hold a press conference outside of Queen's Park showing its dissatisfaction of this bloated budget.
Allen: I gave an excuse...
Andrew :Just to clarify, I didn't necessarily mean a protest, but a press conference, which states why the LP disagrees with the budget and what it would have instead. The Green Party does this all the time. I remember the day the election campaign started, the Mike Schreiner and his Green candidates held a press conference a few minutes after McGuinty and Horwath held their media events.
This brings a lot of media attention.
Well, it'd be hard to predict if any press would show up (I definitely would!). You would have to publish the press release all over Facebook, Twitter and other social networks as well as emailing journalists that cover certain beats,
I mean, a few weeks ago, Green leader Elizabeth May held a press conference about the Robocall scandal and about her candidate, Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu, and only three to five members of the press showed up: me, City News, CBC and two other people - and I was the one asking most of the questions.
The best thing to do in these situations is to write a press release that states: "Libertarian Party makes big announcement regarding Ontario Budget and Dalton McGuinty." Then after the press conference is over, you distribute a press release on the Internet that has a photo, summary of the press conference, your talking points, a few quotes and contact information.
If you're worried about cost, I presume the only thing that would cost you money are speakers, a podium and a microphone. I'm not sure if you would need a permit or not.
Andrew suggests we get more into the face of the media. That means being ready to move when an opportunity is presented, some are easy to predict (Budget). some not so easy (Occupy Toronto). Possibly the next opportunity will be the marijuana march - May 5, 2012. Should we attend?
Should we purchase a microphone/amp/speakers/portable power supply, maybe a podium, so that we can set up planned or impromptu press conferences?
Should we make up some small signs "ONTARIO LIBERTARIAN PARTY" that could be used for press conferences and pub nights etc.?
Should we make up business cards for the Executive to have available to distribute to press, at other meetups (Mises) etc.?