To strengthen local journalism and encourage greater connection between reporters and Charlotte residents,

To strengthen local journalism and encourage greater connection between reporters and Charlotte residents, Solutions Journalism Network launched the Charlotte Journalism Collaborative (CJC) in 2019. The CJC is a partnership of seven major media companies and other local institutions focusing on issues of major importance to the Charlotte region. Members of the collaborative include The Charlotte Observer, Carolina Public Press, La Noticia, QCity Metro, Qnotes, WCNC-TV and WFAE 90.7 FM, as well as the James L. Knight School of Communication at Queens University of Charlotte, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Free Press. The CJC is supported by the Local Media Project, an initiative launched by the Solutions Journalism Network with support from the Knight Foundation to strengthen and reinvigorate local media ecosystems.

The CJC is modeled on the Solutions Journalism Network method of investigating and reporting news with a primary focus on solutions to community problems. “At a time when local journalism jobs are disappearing and trust in media has hit an all-time low, the Solutions Journalism Network has taken on the challenge by organizing collaborative journalism reporting projects that promote excellent reporting and civic dialogue. the model has the potential to be part of a new wave of great local reporting, which is vital to building strong communities,” said Karen Rundlet, Knight Foundation director for journalism.