Technology Blog 3

Study: Editors, readers differ on online comment rules

Date of Publication: April 8, 2008

Source: USA Today

Written By: Anick Jesdanun

In New York a new study has been found on news credibility. Newspapers don't like anonymous remarks. Editors more than the reads want that principle applied to reader comments online according to a study released today by the Associated Press and Institute at the University of Missouri

70% of editors surveyed said that requiring people who make comments to show their identity show good journalism, only 45% of the public supported that. 58% of editors said that letting journalists get onto online conversations and state their views would cause harm to journalism, but only 36% of the public agreed.

Expressions ones views seem to appear to help readers interest and trust the websites they are using.

This study was made to help gauge the priorities and practices that newspapers should be desgining as they increasingly blend their print and web observations. This got few answers on how editors can meet their reader expectations online without compromising their name.

This research study did find agreement on the practices that are needed to ensure accuracy and correct their mistakes. Editors and readers supported the fairness in the coverage in the news, and labeling in their commentary.

The study did find widespread agreement on basic practices such as the need to ensure accuracy and correct mistakes. Both editors and readers overwhelmingly supported fairness in news coverage and the labeling of commentary.

In more findings editors and readers said any web news items made by readers should have to use the same standards journalists follow when they report their news stories. The editors are more than likely to say it is vitally important to enclose different opinions in news articles and create some content to attract different types of readers.

The telephone study conducted included 500 members of the public and "1251 print online editors from U.S. newspapers was conducted August 23 to October 12. This study had a margin sampling error of plus or minus 5 percentage points for readers' sample and 3 percentage points for editors".