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The Moral Gatekeeper? Moderation and Deletion of User-Generated Content in a Leading News Forum

Author

Listed:
  • Svenja Boberg

    (Department of Communication, University of Muenster, Germany)

  • Tim Schatto-Eckrodt

    (Department of Communication, University of Muenster, Germany)

  • Lena Frischlich

    (Department of Communication, University of Muenster, Germany)

  • Thorsten Quandt

    (Department of Communication, University of Muenster, Germany)

Abstract

Participatory formats in online journalism offer increased options for user comments to reach a mass audience, also enabling the spreading of incivility. As a result, journalists feel the need to moderate offensive user comments in order to prevent the derailment of discussion threads. However, little is known about the principles on which forum moderation is based. The current study aims to fill this void by examining 673,361 user comments (including all incoming and rejected comments) of the largest newspaper forum in Germany (Spiegel Online) in terms of the moderation decision, the topic addressed, and the use of insulting language using automated content analysis. The analyses revealed that the deletion of user comments is a frequently used moderation strategy. Overall, more than one-third of comments studied were rejected. Further, users mostly engaged with political topics. The usage of swear words was not a reason to block a comment, except when offenses were used in connection with politically sensitive topics. We discuss the results in light of the necessity for journalists to establish consistent and transparent moderation strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Svenja Boberg & Tim Schatto-Eckrodt & Lena Frischlich & Thorsten Quandt, 2018. "The Moral Gatekeeper? Moderation and Deletion of User-Generated Content in a Leading News Forum," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 6(4), pages 58-69.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:meanco:v:6:y:2018:i:4:p:58-69
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Hazlett, Thomas W., 2022. "Free speech and the challenge of efficiency," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(9).
    2. Kosmas Panagiotidis & Nikolaos Tsipas & Theodora Saridou & Andreas Veglis, 2020. "A Participatory Journalism Management Platform: Design, Implementation and Evaluation," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-15, February.
    3. Lazaros Vrysis & Nikolaos Vryzas & Rigas Kotsakis & Theodora Saridou & Maria Matsiola & Andreas Veglis & Carlos Arcila-Calderón & Charalampos Dimoulas, 2021. "A Web Interface for Analyzing Hate Speech," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-18, March.
    4. Nikki Usher & Matt Carlson, 2018. "The Midlife Crisis of the Network Society," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 6(4), pages 107-110.
    5. Sue Robinson & Yidong Wang, 2018. "Networked News Participation: Future Pathways," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 6(4), pages 91-102.
    6. Oscar Westlund & Mats Ekström, 2018. "News and Participation through and beyond Proprietary Platforms in an Age of Social Media," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 6(4), pages 1-10.
    7. James E. Katz, 2018. "Commentary on News and Participation through and beyond Proprietary Platforms in an Age of Social Media," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 6(4), pages 103-106.

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