Melanie Sill
@melaniesill.bsky.social
Board chair, @NCLocal nonpartisan local news hub. Former top editor News & Observer, SacBee, KPCC/LAist. Posting on journalism and stuff people in NC might want to know about, look for #HeadsUpNC tag.
This was the scene at "Chapel Thrill" on the UNC campus early afternoon when I strolled through with a visiting relative. Stadium a stone's throw away and game against Duke a few just a few hours away, band playing but no one around.
November 22, 2025 at 7:45 PM
This was the scene at "Chapel Thrill" on the UNC campus early afternoon when I strolled through with a visiting relative. Stadium a stone's throw away and game against Duke a few just a few hours away, band playing but no one around.
There is really not much here, either in subject or reporting. But by playing it so prominently, and in the way the piece and headline are written, the NYT embarrasses itself
November 14, 2025 at 6:43 PM
There is really not much here, either in subject or reporting. But by playing it so prominently, and in the way the piece and headline are written, the NYT embarrasses itself
This conversation is as bad and ridiculous as the headline itself: wealthy, privileged people removed from the reality of actual workplaces — an insult not just to women but to working people everywhere. Ruin -- in what way? For whom? How? Sloppy.
November 6, 2025 at 11:45 AM
This conversation is as bad and ridiculous as the headline itself: wealthy, privileged people removed from the reality of actual workplaces — an insult not just to women but to working people everywhere. Ruin -- in what way? For whom? How? Sloppy.
Curious that the NYT's coverage of food aid cuts has determinedly used the term "food stamps," which was phased out decades ago. SNAP or EBT are terms now a generation in use.
November 3, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Curious that the NYT's coverage of food aid cuts has determinedly used the term "food stamps," which was phased out decades ago. SNAP or EBT are terms now a generation in use.
I have been looking at this all day and it just strikes me as -- weird. Seems like NYT made a lot of decisions ahead on how to play the protests today, an odd (and non-journalistic) approach to coverage. Other outlets have reporting that's more clear-headed and complete.
October 18, 2025 at 10:40 PM
I have been looking at this all day and it just strikes me as -- weird. Seems like NYT made a lot of decisions ahead on how to play the protests today, an odd (and non-journalistic) approach to coverage. Other outlets have reporting that's more clear-headed and complete.
The US government saying to a corporation that "I want you to pay us as a country something" is generally called taxation. News outlets can't seem to stop adopting the language of political actors. This would be called an export tax.
August 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The US government saying to a corporation that "I want you to pay us as a country something" is generally called taxation. News outlets can't seem to stop adopting the language of political actors. This would be called an export tax.
Hello, @nytimes.com, "Redskins" is a slur, not a Native American name.
July 21, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Hello, @nytimes.com, "Redskins" is a slur, not a Native American name.
(2/3) Why? Easier, gets clicks. But much of the coverage of #Belichick-#Hudson is sexist, ageist or worse — the longtime trope of the evil woman manipulating a famous man.
May 14, 2025 at 3:37 PM
(2/3) Why? Easier, gets clicks. But much of the coverage of #Belichick-#Hudson is sexist, ageist or worse — the longtime trope of the evil woman manipulating a famous man.
#Journalism is embarrassing itself with its obsessive focus on the girlfriend of NFL-turned-#UNC football coach Bill #Belichick. The real story is money and a sharp acceleration in college athletics' conversion to commercial product — but the obsession is #JordonHudson. (1/3)
May 14, 2025 at 3:37 PM
#Journalism is embarrassing itself with its obsessive focus on the girlfriend of NFL-turned-#UNC football coach Bill #Belichick. The real story is money and a sharp acceleration in college athletics' conversion to commercial product — but the obsession is #JordonHudson. (1/3)
#HeadsUpNC Tariffs uncertainty and impact of China tariffs on #NC, one of the nation's top states in export value, among highlights of today's @axios.com Raleigh newsletter (They do a lot with state-by-state breakdowns of national data, good #journalism model) www.axios.com/newsletters/... #NCPol
April 10, 2025 at 12:01 PM
#HeadsUpNC Tariffs uncertainty and impact of China tariffs on #NC, one of the nation's top states in export value, among highlights of today's @axios.com Raleigh newsletter (They do a lot with state-by-state breakdowns of national data, good #journalism model) www.axios.com/newsletters/... #NCPol
#Journalism fail: @washingtonpost.com repeats misinfo, unverified claims that have been disproven elsewhere (ie Starlink service was briefly "free," but people had to pay for equipment, so not free) Only mention of what FEMA did was that $800M(!) went into #WNC. Glaring reporting gaps.
March 9, 2025 at 3:01 PM
#Journalism fail: @washingtonpost.com repeats misinfo, unverified claims that have been disproven elsewhere (ie Starlink service was briefly "free," but people had to pay for equipment, so not free) Only mention of what FEMA did was that $800M(!) went into #WNC. Glaring reporting gaps.
#Journalism win, NYT again, glad to see these impact pieces. Though I wonder if other people dislike these giant reporter talking head videos as much as I do.
March 9, 2025 at 12:13 PM
#Journalism win, NYT again, glad to see these impact pieces. Though I wonder if other people dislike these giant reporter talking head videos as much as I do.
#Journalism fail. NYT offers political scribing, palace intrigue. Meantime, what's happening to federal services? Who's winning and losing?? If you want reporting that looks out for the public interest or ordinary citizens, look elsewhere: the shame is the #NYT has the resources to do much better
March 8, 2025 at 3:31 PM
#Journalism fail. NYT offers political scribing, palace intrigue. Meantime, what's happening to federal services? Who's winning and losing?? If you want reporting that looks out for the public interest or ordinary citizens, look elsewhere: the shame is the #NYT has the resources to do much better
#HeadsUpNC (5/5) Check out the @nclocal.bsky.social website at www.nclocal.org for more info and a signup for updates. Thanks!
February 27, 2025 at 3:37 PM
#HeadsUpNC (5/5) Check out the @nclocal.bsky.social website at www.nclocal.org for more info and a signup for updates. Thanks!
(4/5) We're working on a hub and partner model, aiming to produce and distribute news and information through media and other trusted sources and on a variety of platforms to reach more people in #NC #HeadsUpNC
February 27, 2025 at 3:37 PM
(4/5) We're working on a hub and partner model, aiming to produce and distribute news and information through media and other trusted sources and on a variety of platforms to reach more people in #NC #HeadsUpNC
(3/5) Some of what we learned through community listening in #NorthCarolina #HeadsUpNC
February 27, 2025 at 3:37 PM
(3/5) Some of what we learned through community listening in #NorthCarolina #HeadsUpNC
(2/5) More on #NC's new local/state news initiative #HeadsUpNC
February 27, 2025 at 3:37 PM
(2/5) More on #NC's new local/state news initiative #HeadsUpNC
#HeadsUpNC some good news about local news in #NC. Proud to have helped develop this new initiative alongside @shanbow.bsky.social, founder and CEO of the new NC Local, who just made the announcement. Here are a few slides (1/5) #journalism @nclocal.bsky.social
February 27, 2025 at 3:37 PM
#HeadsUpNC some good news about local news in #NC. Proud to have helped develop this new initiative alongside @shanbow.bsky.social, founder and CEO of the new NC Local, who just made the announcement. Here are a few slides (1/5) #journalism @nclocal.bsky.social
#Journalism about House budget bill is about the deal-making, not what's in the deal and how it will affect people (major cuts to Medicaid most obv but not only) We need better reporting that let's people know the stakes and not just the horse trading #USPolitics #Trump #Medicaid
February 25, 2025 at 3:40 PM
#Journalism about House budget bill is about the deal-making, not what's in the deal and how it will affect people (major cuts to Medicaid most obv but not only) We need better reporting that let's people know the stakes and not just the horse trading #USPolitics #Trump #Medicaid
#HeadsUpNC non-journalism PSA for folks in #NC: #RealID appointments are very hard to come by via NCDMV, many offices not taking appointments at all, even 90 days out; deadline May 7
February 19, 2025 at 1:05 PM
#HeadsUpNC non-journalism PSA for folks in #NC: #RealID appointments are very hard to come by via NCDMV, many offices not taking appointments at all, even 90 days out; deadline May 7
Checking out the angles
February 8, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Checking out the angles
A friend shared this. It's funny, yet reflects a reality I don't find anywhere in news coverage: Many people are frightened, worried, angry, exhausted about the #Trump-#Musk destabilization of the federal government. Beyond politics, people have practical fears and worries. Who's covering that?
February 7, 2025 at 7:51 PM
A friend shared this. It's funny, yet reflects a reality I don't find anywhere in news coverage: Many people are frightened, worried, angry, exhausted about the #Trump-#Musk destabilization of the federal government. Beyond politics, people have practical fears and worries. Who's covering that?
Many people today turn to media that reflect their own viewpoint, but our biggest news outlets influence by what they cover, what they emphasize and what they leave out. And yes on framing — i.e., Musk has shaken people across the nation and world, not "Washington." Our media need accountability.
February 4, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Many people today turn to media that reflect their own viewpoint, but our biggest news outlets influence by what they cover, what they emphasize and what they leave out. And yes on framing — i.e., Musk has shaken people across the nation and world, not "Washington." Our media need accountability.
Most of them are not "defendants," they're convicted criminals
January 6, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Most of them are not "defendants," they're convicted criminals