Journalists show support to the idea of dialogue with their audience, but in reality neglect avoid taking part in the discussion, write Lisbeth Morlandstø and Birgit Røe Mathisen, borth of Nord University. The authors interviewed the five-person staff editing the discussion-oriented Nordnorsk debatt section of the Norwegian Nordlys newspaper.

The interviews demonstrate the journalists’ understanding of the need to adapt to the new online environment. Fostering discussion with and among readers is seen important, but yet the interviewees largely forgo taking part in the discussions themselves, citing for example ethical concerns.

The article “Participation and Control” was published by the journal Digital Journalism. It is available online (abstract free).

Picture: Untitled by Mr_Incognito_, licence CC0 1.0.