Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2014

Keywords

Anonymity, Comments, Gatekeeping, Interactivity, Mutual shaping, Technology

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.

Publication Title

New Media & Society

Volume

16

Issue

3

First Page

470

Last Page

487

Required Publisher's Statement

Copyright by SAGE Publications

Published online before print June 7, 2013

DOI: 10.1177/1461444813487958

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

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