Buried Truth: The Observer’s Misleading Take on Rowan County Accountability 📉

The Charlotte Observer Chose Outrage Over Accountability: Here’s What They Missed 📰

When a 22-year-old deputy reported her 62-year-old colleague for harassment, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office responded with decisive action. Within 24 hours of receiving the complaint, Sheriff Travis Allen removed the accused deputy, Coyt Karriker, from paid duty. Ultimately, Karriker retired, lost his badge and gun, and had his building access revoked. This was a rare and swift response in an industry notorious for protecting its own.

But if you read the Charlotte Observer’s recent piece, "‘Put Your Big Girl Pants On, NC Sheriff Told Deputy Who Made Sexual Misconduct Complaint”, you wouldn’t know that was the real story. Instead, the article buried this accountability under a clickbait circus designed to enrage rather than inform.

The Real Story: Courage and Swift Action

Let’s start with the facts. The young deputy endured months of misconduct, including:

• Late-night texts she ignored.

• Inappropriate comments like, “Your ass looks good in those pants.”

• Unwanted physical contact, such as the accused adjusting her belt and shirt without her consent.

When she finally reported the behavior, Sheriff Allen believed her and acted immediately. According to the Observer:

In a field where complaints are often ignored, downplayed, or retaliated against, this action stands out. The accused was swiftly removed, his authority stripped, and his uniform retrieved. That’s the kind of response that should lead a news story.

The Observer’s Clickbait Priorities

Instead of leading with the institutional accountability, the Observer crafted a headline so inflammatory it could have been pulled straight from a tabloid:
“Put Your Big Girl Pants On, NC Sheriff Told Deputy.”

This isn’t journalism—it’s outrage bait. The article centers around Sheriff Allen’s clumsy, tone-deaf remarks during a conversation with the deputy, including:

And the now-infamous:

These comments are indefensible—condescending at best, dismissive at worst. But they aren’t the story. The real story is the young deputy’s bravery in reporting the harassment and the sheriff’s swift action in removing the harasser. By focusing on Allen’s verbal missteps, the Observer sensationalized a serious issue and distorted the public’s understanding of what happened.

Why Clickbait Journalism Hurts Everyone

Clickbait journalism isn’t just lazy—it’s damaging. When outlets like the Observer prioritize outrage over truth, they undermine public trust in the media. Readers turn to news sources expecting facts, context, and clarity. What they get instead are cherry-picked quotes and headlines designed to provoke anger rather than foster understanding.

This approach has long-term consequences:

1. Erosion of Trust: When readers feel manipulated, they stop trusting the media entirely. That distrust spreads to all outlets, even those committed to ethical journalism.

2. Distraction from the Real Issues: By centering on Allen’s comments, the Observer detracted from critical discussions about workplace culture, institutional responses, and the systems that enable misconduct.

3. Lost Opportunities for Meaningful Dialogue: Stories like this should spark conversations about progress and areas for improvement. Instead, they become flashpoints for outrage, dividing readers rather than engaging them.

Imagine if the Observer had framed this story responsibly:
“Rowan Sheriff Removes Accused Deputy Amid Harassment Complaint, Faces Scrutiny for Comments.”

This headline would have acknowledged both the action taken and the areas where communication fell short. It would have informed readers without inflaming them. But that wouldn’t generate as many clicks, would it?

What Charlotte Deserves

Queen City deserves better. We deserve journalism that respects its audience by delivering facts and context, not rage bait. Stories like this are complex and demand nuance. At The Queen City Express, we’re committed to providing thoughtful reporting that informs, empowers, and uplifts our readers—not sensationalizes their anger.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

This critique is brought to you by Summit Coffee, brewing Charlotte’s best conversations, and Dynamic Empowerment Solutions, helping leaders communicate smarter—no “big girl pants” required. ☕

About Jack Beckett

Jack Beckett writes with a mission: hold bad journalism accountable. Fueled by Summit Coffee, Jack delivers sharp takes on Charlotte’s biggest stories at The Queen City Express. Join the conversation—let’s demand better news. ☕🖋️