opinion
We Won't Publish Guilt-by-Proximity Headlines
When an unaccepted invitation becomes a headline, journalism slips into insinuation. Here's why The Charlotte Mercury won't publish proximity stories without evidence.
Peter Cellino·Feb 4, 2026
PC
Peter Cellino
Publisher, The Charlotte Mercury
Peter Cellino is the publisher of The Charlotte Mercury and founder of Mercury Local, the platform that runs it. He writes on agentic AI, platform economics, and the future of local journalism.
5 Articles
opinion
If You're Not Reading, You're Not Ready To Vote
In the so-called Information Age, citizens are swimming in data and drowning in ignorance, and that has consequences at the ballot box. A city that won't read shouldn't trust its own opinions.
Peter Cellino·Dec 1, 2025
opinion
Old Pizza, Old Media: Why We Won't Serve This Slice of News
A Texas pizza franchise's bankruptcy just ran as "Charlotte business news." Here is why that old attention-merchant model is breaking down and what The Charlotte Mercury is doing instead.
Peter Cellino·Nov 24, 2025
opinion
Charlotte Spent $25,000 on Corruption Claims Found Baseless
Councilmember Watlington's corruption allegations have cost Charlotte $ 25,000. Investigation found nothing. She has no regrets. That's the problem.
Peter Cellino·Oct 14, 2025
government
How Transit Leaders Botched Blue Line Crisis Response
Charlotte's transit leaders turned a tragedy into a communications disaster. Here's the crisis management playbook they ignored, and what they should have said instead.
Peter Cellino·Oct 3, 2025
