A Tale of Two Stories from "Below the Line": Comment Fields at the Guardian. (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Graham, Todd; Wright, Scott
• Is Part Of: International journal of press/politics. Volume 20:Number 3(2015:Jul.)
• Page Start: 317
• Page End: 338
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: comment fields -- climate change coverage -- Guardian -- journalism practice -- public sphere -- readers' comments -- UGC; Press and politics -- Periodicals; Government and the press -- Periodicals; Journalism -- Political aspects -- Periodicals; 070.449324
• DOI: 10.1177/1940161215581926
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1940-1612

Abstract

This article analyzes the nature of debate on "below the line" comment fields at the United Kingdom's Guardian, and how, if at all, such debates are impacting journalism practice. The article combines a content analysis of 3, 792 comments across eighty-five articles that focused on the UN Climate Change Summit, with ten interviews with journalists, two with affiliated commentators, plus the community manager. The results suggest a more positive picture than has been found by many existing studies: Debates were often deliberative in nature, and journalists reported that it was positively impacting their practice in several ways, including providing new story leads and enhanced critical reflection. However, citizen–journalist debate was limited. The results are attributed to the normalization of comment fields into everyday journalism practice, extensive support and encouragement from senior management, and a realization that comment fields can actually make the journalists' life a little easier.