The results are in. Baristanet’s reader survey showed that there is a thirst for local news. As one reader commented: “It tells me what is going on in my own back yard that NO other media source is covering”. Another wrote “[Baristanet] is best way to stay plugged in to Montclair”.
More than 100 readers responded to the survey and provided valuable feedback on the participation elements available on the site.
Only around 12 percent of respondents often or regularly made comments, while 22 percent said they sometimes (three to 10 times) made comments. Overwhelmingly 40 percent of respondents say they have never made a comment. These results reflect other U.S. and international sites involved in the study.
It’s not surprising then that 65 percent of respondents said the ability to comment did not influence their decision to visit the site, while just over 35 percent said it did. When asked why the ability to comment on stories did or did not influence their decision to visit the site, the majority of respondents did value the comments that followed stories. So despite a lower percentage of respondents joining the discussion, reading the comments following a story was a deemed a vital element to the site.
“The stories are so local and close to home that often the community members have something valuable to add or some additional information,” noted one reader.
“I submit photos and make comments infrequently, but it’s nice to know I CAN do this,” wrote another.
Just under 45 percent of respondents regularly or often read the comments of others, while 38 percent sometimes read the comments. Many found these comments valuable:
“I find it relaxing to just surf most of the time, but I enjoy reading others comments.”
While others did not:
“Most of the folks commenting don’t have anything meaningful to contribute and end up in catty arguments,” wrote one respondent.
“Most stories don’t warrant comments so people just comment way too much,” noted another.
For those who are commenters, 67 percent felt that editors of the site valued their contribution. And overall 90 percent of respondents felt that comment moderation was fair.
Comments are not the only avenues for participation on the site. More than 35 percent of respondents had provided a story suggestion or news tip to Baristanet, while 5 percent had contributed to the Flickr account and just over 11 percent had attended a Baristanet event.
What’s up next for Baristanet? Owners Debbie Galant and Liz George plan to implement a system allowing readers to rate content and comments.
Renee Barnes teaches online journalism at RMIT in Melbourne, Australia, and is undertaking a PhD focusing on online news audiences. Prior to joining academia she worked as a newspaper, television and radio journalist in Australia and the United Kingdom.
“What’s up next for Baristanet? Owners Debbie Galant and Liz George plan to implement a system allowing readers to rate content and comments.”
Debbie! Liz! Have you lost your minds! Do you know what havoc this will wreak from the Slow News Day Liberation Front? Or the Marsupial Underground (Underporch)? Not even mentioning the Droll Trolls who will dump all over any post reflecting liberal ideology; and their lefty counterparts, the Merry Cranksters, will return the favor in spades. This could be the end of Baristanet as we know it!
Is this like that thumbs up thumbs down thing you tried before? Oy.
When was this survey? I must have been sick that day.
There is a difference between accurately repotred (and proofread) local news items and idle, often advertiser-lapping, gush. Don’t reader comments already rate content to a fair degree?
And the author of this item is “undertaking a Ph.D.?” Do tell. WIth either professional or, uh, “citizen” journalists like these…
Uh, speaking of proofreading, you might want to take a second look at “repotred”.
“a system allowing readers to rate content and comments.”
Gonna try this one again, huh? Why? Really. What’s the need?
Also, I sure hope you not going to let 100 folks dictate what you do. Steve Jobs famously said,”You can’t just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they’ll want something new”.
Sometimes I think folks update/change just for the sake of doing it without any real reason. B-nets change to wordpress was a great idea, much better that LiveType. So with Patch doing its thing, perhaps that competition will inspire both, so we- the folks- get better service. (And writing.)
Down with the thumb system!
There seems to be a focus on the survey about the ability to post, while 40% never comment. I would say focus value elsewhere. More news worthy stories would be a plus. E.g, it would be nice if we were apprised of just one of the Bloomfield meet the candidate nights BEFORE they happened, instead of after.
Or maybe a re-org of the layout that segregates local news, state news, local politics, etc. I don’t think Lifestyle, Pets, People, Places warrant the heading status they have without more frequent and intense articles. Simply not enough volume.
I did not answer the survey. I figured I mouth off too much already.
So 83 percent of respondents read the comments at least sometimes? And yet only 12 percent regularly make comments? That is so interesting.
Too many stories about Montclair politics.
1) How about a book o’ the month selection or a magazine article we can all comment on.
2) A monthly cartoon alley we can all guffaw at. God knows we need a laugh in these trying times!!
Other than that, I like the threads, very educational even tho we all don’t agree, it keeps both sides of my brain active.
Charlie! The Bedbug took my thumbs!
Nellie, I want to thumbs-up your post but I can’t…
I don’t want to tell you where they put those thumbs…
My thumb is up for the 12 percent.
What about the other 88 percent, Dag, huh? What about them? Who speaks for the disenfranchised, disillusioned, huddled 88 percent? Isn’t it time they had a voice? Shouldn’t they have a say? SHouldn’t they have a seat at the table, a voice in the choir, a hand on the rudder? Geez, what an elitist you are! You are part of the problem, not the solution. You are the sand in the gears of life, a fly in the ointment of society, the underwear chafing at the crotch of the common man.
I am deeply offended.
First, choke the chicken. Now, the underwear chafing at the crotch of the common man. (A little Gold Bond goes a long way). You’re on a roll this week.
I am truly ashamed walleroo. Thank you for bringing me to my senses. I’m inviting all lurkers over for tea in order to make amends.
I forgive you, Dag, and so does Jesus. We’re having lunch in a few mins, I’ll put in a good word. (I think it’s His turn to pick up the tab.)