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Article
Coproduction or Cohabitation: Are Anonymous Online Comments on Newspaper Websites Shaping News Content?
New Media & Society
  • Carolyn E. Nielsen, Western Washington University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-1-2014
Keywords
  • Anonymity,
  • Comments,
  • Gatekeeping,
  • Interactivity,
  • Mutual shaping,
  • Technology
Disciplines
Abstract

The technology that allows readers to post anonymous online comments on newspaper websites gives readers unprecedented opportunities to participate, but poses challenges to the journalistic value of transparency, practice of gatekeeping, and conception of expertise. This nationwide survey of 583 US journalists explores whether the technology has affected their work practices, workplaces, or news coverage. The study, grounded in social shaping of technology theories, finds that journalists are not opposed to sharing their web platforms with readers’ comments, but dislike user anonymity and ignore reader input. Despite the technological affordance that provides journalists a means to receive instant, global feedback from readers, journalists are maintaining their jurisdiction over news content and are not participating with readers in mutual shaping. This study finds that journalistic norms and conceptions of expertise prevent journalists from engaging with readers.

Required Publisher's Statement

This is an Author's Final Manuscript of an article whose final and definitive form, the Version of Record, has been published in New Media & Society, which is available electronically by SAGE Journals Online at http://nms.sagepub.com

Comments

This is an Author's Final Manuscript of an article whose final and definitive form, the Version of Record, has been published in New Media & Society, which is available electronically by SAGE Journals Online at http://nms.sagepub.com

Subjects - Topical (LCSH)
Electronic newspapers; Online journalism; Electronic discussion groups; Journalists
Genre/Form
articles
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Nielsen, C. E. (2013). Coproduction or cohabitation: Are anonymous online comments on newspaper websites shaping news content? New Media & Society, 16(3), 470–487.