The fallacy of the current model of comments in newspapers online: Have fun but don´t rock the boat!

For almost a year we have been observing the participation process (comment system) on newspaper websites in Europe. We would like to share our findings and vision on the current model of comments in newspapers online with the community.

We conclude that this model must change.

We have detected that this model, whether created consciously or unconsciously by newspapers, represents a huge gap that grows day by day between citizens and newspapers instead of creating a well balanced environment to participate and collaborate.

We see it as just a fiction; simple entertainment using technology to transmit the illusion to people of being part of the media, when in fact, newspapers don’t seem to care, considering their level of real interaction with readers´ comments. A situation that we tagged as: Have fun but don´t rock the boat!

You can download our graphic that explains in detail our findings. below you can see the main consequences of the current model for both parts (newspapers and citizens). We´re open to any comment and contribution.

Consequences of this model for both parts (newspapers and citizens):

1. No added value for the newspaper in terms of collaboration with citizens for creating the news, ROI of the comment system (technology and human resources investment), brand strengthening or marketing uses (trends & behavior analysis).
   
2. High control from the newspaper on comments from unidentified users (moderation or censorship functions when the comment affects the newspaper´s interest)
   
3. In this model, it is not possible to get the official answer demanded by readers on any issue published by the newspaper regarding ethics or "agenda".
   
4. There is no way to publish and share evidences that could question the newspaper’s "unilateral" point of view.
   
5. In this model the original comment is often diluted in a chaotic sequence of superficial comments. These comments usually show primary emotions, in-comment discussions between users and other reactions that, very often, have nothing to do with the original story or with enhancing or questioning the original story.
   
6. Readers’ comments are dispersed and represent fragmented impacts without enough power to affect in the newspaper´s position (biased or not).
   
7. In fact, there is not any real or well balanced participation in newspapers online: just a fiction of being part of the Media but far enough away from them to have any impact.
   
8. This model puts light years between citizens and newspapers; as it has been so far for centuries on paper (letters to the editor).