@article{0ec31d07211944458a46fa10b691ca47,
title = "A Tale of Two Stories from “Below the Line”: Comment Fields at the Guardian",
abstract = "This article analyses the nature of debate on “below the line” comment fields at the UK{\textquoteright}s Guardian, and how, if at all, such debates are impacting journalism practice. The article combines a content analysis of 3792 comments across 85 articles that focused on the UN Climate Change Summit, with 10 interviews with journalists, 2 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{\textquoteright} life a little easier.",
keywords = "comment fields, climate change, Guardian, journalism practice, public sphere, readers' comments, UGC, journalism, Online Journalism, journalism studies, Digital Journalism, News Reporting, User-Generated Content, Participatory Journalism, NEWS SOURCES OF JOURNALISTS, AUDIENCE, audience studies, E-Democracy, Journalistiek, Online News, Citizen Journalism, New Media, Mass communications, Political Communication",
author = "Todd Graham and Scott Wright",
note = "This is an author's accepted version. ",
year = "2015",
doi = "10.1177/1940161215581926",
language = "English",
volume = "20",
pages = "317--338",
journal = "The International Journal of Press/Politics",
issn = "1940-1612",
number = "3",
}