Comments on: NPR’s On the Media and ‘Comments on Comments’ http://strange.corante.com/2008/07/29/nprs-on-the-media-and-comments-on-comments Picking out patterns in the chaos Tue, 22 May 2012 19:39:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Chuck Falzone http://strange.corante.com/2008/07/29/nprs-on-the-media-and-comments-on-comments#comment-2930 Chuck Falzone Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:50:33 +0000 http://strange.corante.com/2008/07/29/nprs-on-the-media-and-comments-on-comments#comment-2930 You alluded to this, Kevin, but I think there's an issue of context here that's important. The level of moderation that Legacy provides would be overkill--both from a standpoint of user experience and of required resources-- for most content on a newspaper's site. But for obits and memorials, that level of moderation is absolutely essential: there's a grieving family associated with each one. It's going to require more thought, but I think it makes most sense for newspapers (sites in general, really) to think about a hierarchy as far as the appropriate level of moderation of comments. There's a lot of content that's not mission critical and not controversial that can probably be handled very well with a combination of registration, profanity filters and "report abuse" links. And then several possible steps before you get to the other end of the spectrum, the VA Tech shootings, obits in general, etc. (Full disclosure: I'm Kevin's friend that works for Legacy.com.) You alluded to this, Kevin, but I think there’s an issue of context here that’s important. The level of moderation that Legacy provides would be overkill–both from a standpoint of user experience and of required resources– for most content on a newspaper’s site. But for obits and memorials, that level of moderation is absolutely essential: there’s a grieving family associated with each one.

It’s going to require more thought, but I think it makes most sense for newspapers (sites in general, really) to think about a hierarchy as far as the appropriate level of moderation of comments. There’s a lot of content that’s not mission critical and not controversial that can probably be handled very well with a combination of registration, profanity filters and “report abuse” links. And then several possible steps before you get to the other end of the spectrum, the VA Tech shootings, obits in general, etc.

(Full disclosure: I’m Kevin’s friend that works for Legacy.com.)

]]> By: Kevin Anderson http://strange.corante.com/2008/07/29/nprs-on-the-media-and-comments-on-comments#comment-2929 Kevin Anderson Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:52:52 +0000 http://strange.corante.com/2008/07/29/nprs-on-the-media-and-comments-on-comments#comment-2929 Angela, I agree with you that moderation is essential, and I'd add that elevating the conversation begins with the content. As I often say in explaining the difference between blogs and forums is that the blogger sets the tone. The content sets the tone for the conversation that ensues. Again, we're dealing with pretty well covered territory. However, instead of studying the existing culture and creating a compelling content strategy, too many newspapers bring their existing content strategy and add comments. Sometimes, one really does get the comments one's content deserves. thanks for the comment, k Angela,

I agree with you that moderation is essential, and I’d add that elevating the conversation begins with the content. As I often say in explaining the difference between blogs and forums is that the blogger sets the tone. The content sets the tone for the conversation that ensues. Again, we’re dealing with pretty well covered territory. However, instead of studying the existing culture and creating a compelling content strategy, too many newspapers bring their existing content strategy and add comments.

Sometimes, one really does get the comments one’s content deserves.

thanks for the comment, k

]]> By: Angela Connor http://strange.corante.com/2008/07/29/nprs-on-the-media-and-comments-on-comments#comment-2928 Angela Connor Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:32:07 +0000 http://strange.corante.com/2008/07/29/nprs-on-the-media-and-comments-on-comments#comment-2928 I just cannot stay away from this subject. The last paragraph sums it up succinctly. When you add features, you have to be prepared to manage them. YES! That's it. But newspapers know this! So why are we still telling them to do it?? It's counterintuitive for an industry that has created monster hierarchical structures and an almost sacred corporate culture to launch any product without having at least an editor, and assistant editor..and the list goes on. This is an industry that knows all about CONTROL. SO, why control it by simply taking it away? Control it by elevating the conversation and again, my famous two words: HIRE MODERATORS. I am literally going to have to scream this from the mountaintops. I just cannot stay away from this subject. The last paragraph sums it up succinctly. When you add features, you have to be prepared to manage them.
YES! That’s it. But newspapers know this! So why are we still telling them to do it?? It’s counterintuitive for an industry that has created monster hierarchical structures and an almost sacred corporate culture to launch any product without having at least an editor, and assistant editor..and the list goes on. This is an industry that knows all about CONTROL. SO, why control it by simply taking it away? Control it by elevating the conversation and again, my famous two words: HIRE MODERATORS. I am literally going to have to scream this from the mountaintops.

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