The news can be noisy. Here’s how The Charlotte Observer plans to break through it in 2024.
My ears were still ringing for a while after absorbing the drums, guitars and amazing vocals at a recent concert in Ovens Auditorium. But I wasn’t complaining; after all, it was a great night of music in Charlotte.
You might feel that way sometimes, too, when you consider all of the media outlets turning up the volume for your attention. It’s a loud and crowded media ecosystem here, but just like those instruments, the more access you have to news, the better.
Every news outlet defines itself differently and has a unique approach to delivering essential information. The Charlotte Observer, now 138 years old, is no different. We cover everything from local government, education and business to high school sports, the arts and food and dining. And that’s not everything. Our comprehensive approach is just one way we distinguish ourselves in a market flooded with options.
But simply doing more isn’t enough.
You subscribe to CharlotteObserver.com for a reason – local news that keeps watch on public officials, explains and analyzes developments and decisions that affect your life and helps you do everything from deciding who you want to vote for to making weekend plans.
Producing elevated journalism underscores our value to this community. That’s why we’ve introduced a new element to our report: Reality Check.
Launched last month, “Reality Check” stories will hopefully pull you to the edge of your seat. Were taxpayer dollars squandered? Did the police respond properly? Who was responsible? Was that the right decision? Is what she said true? Did he deliver on that promise? Will this law cause harm to marginalized communities? Will students have access to all sufficient resources to thrive? Were those statements based in fact or riddled with misinformation?
This, of course, is not a reinvention of journalism. But as the news cycle grows more urgent and digital media becomes more demanding, it’s increasingly difficult for our audience to find and distinguish those kinds of stories. At no point in its history has the Observer skirted its role as the area’s preeminent watchdog. Our commitment to it is unwavering.
The “Reality Check” symbol will draw your attention to those stories in a way that makes it clear and easy to identify because the demand for accountability journalism is as great as it has ever been.
In an unprecedented move, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a law that allows legislators to withhold public records – trampling on transparency so essential to our democracy. And locally, the Observer has fought for months to have public institutions legally comply with public records requests.
As we move full speed toward the general election in November, our role in holding institutions and people to account and in separating fact from fiction is paramount. Voter turnout in the Mecklenburg County primary election was an embarrassing 18.74%. We can and must do better. That includes going to polls, debunking misinformation and being a reliable resource source for residents.
But we don’t have to wait for a national election – Will you go to the polls this time? – to deliver doses of reality every day.
In addition to “Reality Check,” you’ll see “Inside Look” on content that takes you behind the scenes of some of your favorite Charlotte locations, and “Uniquely Charlotte” on stories about people, places and things that could only be told here – a local chef, a movie filmed here or a longtime TV or radio personality, for instance.
As always, we’ll consistently go all in on the stories you’re most interested in and respond with the urgency you’ve come to expect from us in the biggest moments.
Here’s the reality: It’s noisy out there. CharlotteObserver.com – whether on our website, e-edition, app or social media platforms – can bring calm to the frenetic nature of news by underscoring the journalism that matters most.
Do you have a Reality Check idea or question? Email realitycheck@charlotteobserver.com
This story was originally published March 18, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
