Just more evidence that the Charlotte Observer is the propaganda arm of the Panthers

[Fiz]

I think the firing of Darin Gantt pretty much puts this issue to rest, if it was even a point of contention anymore.

This tweet specifically says a lot to me.

I've been re-assigned to the Winthrop University beat. Publisher Debbie Abels and editor Paul Osmundson were good to let me stay on.

Ever since I started really knowing what I was watching with football, which started about 2001-2002, the Panthers have kept the lid locked tight when it comes to the personnel covering the team. This extends to the team website, television and newspapers. Pacman was always kind of a wild card in that regard.

I never thought Gantt was right for the Charlotte Observer. He's far too opinionated and harsh in his criticism for a paper that unironically employs Tom Sorensen. Charlotte is the most boring big city in the country, and the paper reflects that. From a personality standpoint, the Panthers match the city, and that's just the way Richardson likes it.

Nothing is printed about the Panthers in the Charlotte Observer that the team doesn't approve. Now obviously it's not to the point where the paper reports that we actually in fact won the Super Bowl last year. It's not Pravda. But the team prefers a very stale, controlled, predictable media narrative. If there is criticism, we want it soft and meaningless, ie why Tom Sorensen has a job. This is called Manufacturing Dissent btw, and the Charlotte Observer has at least shown complicity in doing the Panthers dirty work. Long story short: the person being criticized creates the critical talking point. Edward bernays came up with this in the early 20th century but blah blah blah off topic

Remember, Yasinskas was fired just for printing a prosaic rant that Jenkins made. By the end of the year they were both gone, and I think looking back it's hard to fault Kris for anything he said or Pat for printing it. He was replaced eventually by at that point largely unknown (except to us) Darin Gantt.

Rosinski was fired just for some offhanded comments he made about not receiving a ring. These looked bad on the front office (as they should, wtf jerry?) so he was replaced. He was replaced with someone completely benign, inoffensive, and coincidentally terrible at his job.

When you want to make an unpopular change you don't make it obvious. Think of your own work place or someone getting fired that is replaced. How many days is that replacement there for before the axe falls? How many people know that axe is coming? Who the fug is Joe Person?

It's yet to be seen if Person will toe the line like Gantt did but I doubt it. His recent posts have offered nothing but company line filler. It's depressing, but we should have known Gantt was on the way out especially after Richardson called his name in person at that press conference.

I say shame on the Panthers and shame on the Charlotte Observer. The Observer is compliant because they feel they can't bite the hand that feeds. The Newspaper business is dying and they can't risk losing access to one of their main draws. I'd argue that there's not another gig in town but hey that's just me.

Gantt will almost certainly land on his feet. Yasinskas and Rosinski both got better gigs. Gantt is too national, too popular, and too good at this job to stay at fuging Winthrop for too long. I doubt he'll go into TV, maybe radio, but he'll do fine.

As for us? What does the complicity of the Charlotte Observer mean?

Well, remember last year when I pointed out that every single article on the panthers main page and opinion piece from the observer suddenly shifted from "what do we do about qb" to "matt moore is ready to take over," and shortly thereafter Jake was cut? When something like that is so tightly controlled, everything that's said means something. instead of tons of free opinions that might be right, there's one message you can read a lot in to.

What's everyone saying about the number 1 pick recently?

[Fiz]

[DaCityKats]

nice job, but i seen the writing on the wall too. its really sad to see not only is the team content with being average, but forcing it on every aspect of the city.

[Matt Moore]

it really is a conspiracy

[Fiz]

it's not a conspiracy per se. there aren't people meeting in a dark room.

the panthers want it one way. the observer wants to keep the panthers happy.

[nosuchthingasapanther]

richardson runs charlotte.

[Dpantherman]

I just thinks its bullpoo. I mean I've been one to pull his leg on twitter and stuff, but theres no denying the work he does is top notch. Hes the guy that its cool to make fun of, but hes good at what he does.

[Carolina Husker]

Don't disagree with any of that.

What's everyone saying about the number 1 pick recently?

What are you referring to here?

[Fiz]

What are you referring to here?

Fowler and Sorensen's opinion on who the team will draft. :(

[Carolina Husker]

Who do you want?

[Highlandfire]

it's not a conspiracy per se. there aren't people meeting in a dark room.

the panthers want it one way. the observer wants to keep the panthers happy.

I would tell the Panthers to fug off. You have to allow our reporters to your pressers etc so we are going to continue to report the news. Don't like what we print? Tough poo.

[rico6]

Fully agreed, Fiz/Smoots whoever you are.

[Fiz]

stop posting highlandfire

Who do you want?

not important

[Carolina Husker]

I would tell the Panthers to fug off. You have to allow our reporters to your pressers etc so we are going to continue to report the news. Don't like what we print? Tough poo.

We're all very impressed with how awesome an editor you'd be in hypothetical land.