For centuries, newspapers have been an essential source of information for the citizenry. Indeed, newspapers are so indispensable to a democratic republic that the Founders of this nation chose to protect them in the very First Amendment to the Constitution.
Even today, in this Internet Age, countless citizens rely on one or more newspapers for information about what’s going on in the world. Many continue with their accustomed paper version, but more are switching to the online edition. There are several reasons for this, a major one being the interactive participation that online reading facilitates. Unlike traditional paper versions, online newspapers enable readers to react to news stories with reader comments, in turn triggering other comments, producing lively discussion.
Reader comments have numerous virtues that the more traditional forms of reader feedback lack. First, as mentioned, they enable immediate reactions to news stories. Second, as those reactions are public, they incentivize other readers to respond to them. Third, unlike letters to the editor, there is no limitation on the number of comments one can make. All of this promotes back-and-forth debate that often enriches understanding of an issue.
Also, commenters can include links (or “hyperlinks”) to external sources, providing extra information for those interested. Such information pops up within seconds, obviating the need for a time-consuming search through traditional sources.
Reader comments promote reader engagement even for those readers who choose not to participate, so-called “lurkers.” Most comment boards have a thumbs-up function, giving such readers the opportunity to react to comments without making comments themselves.
Because of all these features, reader comments enable lively, real-time conversations and debates. Traditional newspapers cannot do that.
Then there is the environmental benefit. Traditional newspapers use an enormous amount of paper, which requires the logging of countless trees, which reduces the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere and increases greenhouse gases. Online versions use no paper at all.
Perhaps the best example of a reader comment board can be found, not surprisingly, at The New York Times. Stories at The Times often receive well over 1,000 comments in just a matter of hours. They come from all over the world and are usually thoughtful and well-written. And most of these comments inspire multiple other comments in response. The Times’ editors single out two dozen or so original comments as especially noteworthy, giving readers a shortcut if they so desire.
Although The Salt Lake Tribune cannot compete with The New York Times, it has a lively reader comment board of its own with many knowledgeable contributors. As with The Times, readers of Tribune comments can indicate agreement (via “likes”) and can respond if desired.
In the old days, newspapers were often posted on public bulletin boards in town squares, where they would draw verbal comments from bystanders, in turn provoking other comments, sometimes leading to lengthy discussion. Such debates nourished democracy.
I see today’s reader comment boards serving the same purpose, at a time when our struggling democracy is so badly in need of it.
Tom Huckin. Photo by Francisco Kjolseth/The Salt Lake Tribune 9-20-2005.
Tom Huckin, a reader comment addict, lives in Salt Lake City.