Journalism, Online Comments, and the Future of Public Discourse

the ease and detached nature of computer-mediated communication,

“setting the tone” for online discussions.

Users are rarely involved pre-publication. Journalists are typically absent post-publication.

The internet reflects people’s propensity for conflict and hate as much as it displays their empathy and desire to be understood.

journalist involvement as a worthwhile “psychological intervention” strategy for better discourse.

Herbst argues that public opinion possesses a dual nature: opinion formation and the expression it generates.

“broken windows theory” of disorder within neighborhoods.

Danielle Allen explains that expressive discourse circulates within communities with shared identities, alliances, solidarities and network connections and has limited impact in isolation within those communities. Conversely, influential discourse

And constant feedback from the same 1% of users will distort public opinion from the 90% of users who are never heard from.