Beginning today, Asheville Watchdog is changing the way readers can comment on our stories. 

Readers are still invited to share their thoughts on our reporting on The Watchdog’s Facebook page, where they can also interact with other readers, but we’re discontinuing the comments feature on avlwatchdog.org.

It’s a decision that we didn’t come to lightly. 

The Watchdog has experienced dramatic growth in its audience, and with that, an enormous increase in comments. In 2020, the year we launched, we published 212 comments. We published more than 6,500 last year.

We’re delighted readers are engaging with our content, but our tiny news organization — a mix of paid staff and volunteers — doesn’t have the bandwidth to read each comment, determine if it’s in line with our comments policies, and, increasingly, research readers’ claims in an effort to combat unverified rumors and misinformation. 

Now, more than ever, it’s crucial that The Watchdog focuses on our core mission, which is to provide local news reporting and analysis as a public service to the residents of Asheville and Buncombe County. 

We still welcome your comments on our Facebook and Instagram accounts. And you’re welcome to engage with us at our free public events. We’ll soon have news to share about one coming in late May.

Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Keith Campbell is the managing editor of The Watchdog. Email kcampbell@avlwatchdog.org. To show your support for this vital public service go to avlwatchdog.org/support-our-publication/.

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