ABSTRACT
User comments, as a form of public engagement with the news, are often treated as the natural digital evolution of letters to the editor. For centuries, letters to the editor have offered newspaper readers an opportunity to participate in journalism by sharing their feedback with newspaper editors. In fact, Bill Reader, in his expansive treatment of the history of audience feedback in the news media, dates letters to the editor to at least the 17th century. Although comments rarely have a direct impact on the news production process and the news product, they can have indirect effects on journalistic work processes since they help journalists understand users’ interests and concerns. While some user-user interaction involves users engaging with another person (dialogue), others engage by directing their comments toward a larger group of people (discussion). In addition, shifting user comments to social networking sites is likely to encourage interactivity.
