How to track Santa Claus around the world with NORAD’s flight tracker | CNN Politics

CNN - Dec 24th, 2024
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The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is once again ready to spread holiday cheer by tracking Santa Claus and his reindeer as they journey around the world on Christmas Eve. This beloved tradition, which NORAD has upheld for 69 years, kicks off at 6 a.m. ET and allows eager participants to follow Santa’s progress via NORAD’s website, app, social media, or through a direct call to their command center. This annual event, which originated from a misprinted phone number in a 1955 newspaper advertisement, has since grown to involve millions of online visitors and over 130,000 phone calls each year, with volunteers on hand to keep the magic alive for children around the globe.

The NORAD Tracks Santa program is steeped in history, beginning when Air Force Col. Harry Shoup creatively addressed calls meant for Santa due to a mistaken advertisement. This initiative has not only become a cherished holiday tradition but also highlights NORAD’s role in protecting North American airspace, showcasing their technological capabilities and community involvement. As NORAD continues to innovate, incorporating platforms like Amazon Alexa and OnStar, the Santa tracker remains a significant cultural touchstone, reinforcing the spirit of Christmas and the power of a simple, heartwarming gesture that has captivated audiences for generations.

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RATING

7.0
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a light-hearted and informative piece about the NORAD Santa tracking tradition, which is a beloved holiday activity. It excels in clarity and engagement, offering a clear narrative of the historical background and current practices of NORAD's Santa tracking. While the article's tone is appropriately festive, it could benefit from additional transparency, particularly in disclosing more about the sources of its claims and potential biases. Nonetheless, it effectively conveys the excitement of the holiday tradition and provides practical information for readers who wish to participate.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article is largely accurate, providing a factual account of the NORAD Santa tracking tradition. It correctly states that NORAD has been tracking Santa since 1955, when a misprinted phone number in a newspaper ad led to children calling the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center. This historical anecdote is widely recognized and factual, adding authenticity to the piece. The mention of NORAD's tracking capabilities through various platforms such as the website, app, and social media is accurate and aligns with publicly available information. However, the article could enhance its accuracy by citing specific sources or providing direct quotes from NORAD representatives to verify the claims made.

7
Balance

The article does a good job of maintaining a neutral and festive tone appropriate for the subject matter. It focuses on the positive aspects of the NORAD Santa tracking tradition, which is expected given the nature of the topic. However, it does not explore any potential criticisms or differing perspectives, such as concerns about military involvement in a holiday tradition or privacy issues related to tracking technology. Including such perspectives could provide a more balanced view, even though they might not be the primary focus of this light-hearted piece. Overall, while the article's focus is understandable, a slight consideration of alternative viewpoints could enhance its balance.

9
Clarity

The article excels in clarity, presenting information in a straightforward and engaging manner. The narrative is well-structured, beginning with the current relevance of the Santa tracking event, followed by its historical origins and current practices. The language is simple and accessible, making the content easy to understand for a broad audience. The use of a festive tone is appropriate for the subject matter and enhances reader engagement. However, the article could clarify certain technical aspects, such as how NORAD's tracking system operates, to provide a more complete picture. Despite this minor issue, the article's clarity remains one of its strongest attributes.

6
Source quality

The article mentions NORAD as the primary source of information, which is appropriate given that NORAD is the authoritative body responsible for the Santa tracking tradition. However, it lacks citations or references to any external sources that could corroborate its claims, such as interviews with NORAD officials or historical documents. The reliance on NORAD's website for historical details is reasonable, but the article could improve by incorporating additional sources, such as news reports or expert interviews, to strengthen the credibility of its content. This would provide a more robust foundation for the claims made and enhance the overall trustworthiness of the article.

5
Transparency

The article provides a basic level of transparency by detailing the historical background of the NORAD Santa tracking tradition. However, it lacks clarity about the sources of its claims and any potential conflicts of interest. For instance, it does not disclose whether the article has any affiliation with NORAD or if NORAD's website was the sole source of information. Additionally, the article could benefit from a brief explanation of how NORAD tracks Santa, which would add transparency to the methodology behind the tradition. By addressing these areas, the article could improve its transparency and provide readers with a more comprehensive understanding of the context and potential biases.