Do comments sections on websites add value?

Well, if the original question specifically meant "should we keep Disqus on the article pages?" then I'd say there's not much point since the articles also link to individual forum threads.
 
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backstreetboy said:
Yes. They can debunk opinion pieces, point out "clickbait" headlines, add insightful information around the subject of the original article etc. If a site removes the commenting section then I just stop going to them aka News24, Iol etc.
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This. Any article without a comment section is out-of-hand rejected as nonsense.

I only get my news from articles with comments. No exceptions.
 
Garson007 said:
This. Any article without a comment section is out-of-hand rejected as nonsense.

I only get my news from articles with comments. No exceptions.
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Worst is sites with comment sections but some articles or advertorials the comments section says "the comments section for this article is closed" right from when it is posted...
 
supersunbird said:
Worst is sites with comment sections but some articles or advertorials the comments section says "the comments section for this article is closed" right from when it is posted...
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That's usually a clear indication that the article is either fake news, biased propaganda or race baiting and they don't want to get called out on it. EWN does this all the time.
 
garp said:
That's usually a clear indication that the article is either fake news, biased propaganda or race baiting and they don't want to get called out on it. EWN does this all the time.
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As does The Guardian. That said, I applaud the fact that The Guardian still has open comments on many articles - even after the year they've had.
 
Comments are, in my opinion, very important. If comments are not allowed or aggressively moderated, then the published article is, by definition, one-sided. This is especially important for political commentary where comments can reveal public opinion as well as any opinion poll. Moderation should be limited to deleting off-topic spam and extremely bad language. Contrary opinion comments add value and interest.
 
Hate to be a nanny but why not force comments to require a facebook profile. That way if anyone is an idiot, they can get penny slapped.
 
I don't mind the comment section, but I would LOVE simple thumbs up/down buttons. Not only will I be able to spot the turds a mile away without first going to the forum, but the site will also get a better idea of which articles are universally despised.
 
If people enjoy participating and/or reading the comment sections then obviously they do add value.
 
Kosmik said:
Hate to be a nanny but why not force comments to require a facebook profile. That way if anyone is an idiot, they can get penny slapped.
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Many of us don't Facebook.

I don't bother with the Disqus comments, only the forum.
 
My 2c:

- Having a way to discuss articles is a good thing - I agree with many earlier comments that sites that allow this are rated MUCH higher than those that don't
- For MyBB, I never understood why there are 2 ways to have that discussion, and personally have stuck to the forums - I never read the Disqus comments
- For keeping the junk out of the way, I like the slashdot.org approach, both for users rating comments, and for uncluttered layout with crappy comments hidden/collapsed on initial view
 
I read MyBB solely for the comments! I find it very interesting to get an honest view of what people think, good or bad, opinionated or not.

If MyBB removes the comment section I'll likely visit the page far less often.
 
I think it adds a ton of value. Especially financial articles where they quickly tear a badly written, fact less article to bits!
 
Ok this may sound weird to some, but many a times, when i see an 'interesting' article title, I click to read it specifically for the comments section. It intrigues me to know what the readers comments are. Since News24 cut off the comments section I hardly ever go there anymore.
 
There are elements of the forum which are toxic and I've found my experience with this site has been far better since I've commented exclusively on Disqus (under my real name) - rarely visiting the forum. I reply to comments by real posters and ignore any trolls. I see many constructive comments on the mybb Disqus and find real value from those comments.

I ALSO DON'T LIKE THAT YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO HIDE THE COMMENTS ON THE NEW SITE LAYOUT
 
Please don't laugh. Here's a true story, if you want it:

I'm a busy business exec, but I love wasting time seeing what "the people" have to say.

Your headlines are like a campfire and the comment section is the only useful thing there - the real discussion and a crowd-sourcing of relevant / true / real material.

I rarely read your articles unless there happens to be a useful link or number not listed elsewhere, resulting from rare journalism: original research. That would be maybe 1 out of 100 articles, probably written by Jan.

Usually your articles are more of a "please write 3 paragraphs of garbage that Google will latch on to so that it will index the headline and advertisers will get clicks so we can get paid".

I don't have time to dig through the forums and try to find my way through 1000 different message footers and small talk either, the comment sections keep posts concise.

Sorry, I don't have a better model for you, but without the comment sections, MyBB is dead to me.
 
Kevin Lancaster said:
Many news websites have closed their comments sections, with Vice deciding to cut its comments in December.

Do comments sections add value to sites (the comments below the articles, not forums), or are they just a place for people to be sarcastic and attack one another?
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Firstly. I don't believe websites such as Mybroadband would have nearly as much readership and popularity if it weren't for the comments section. Secondly, it's a platform for citizens to raise and discuss their concerns, which just fall on deaf ears otherwise.
 
The only reason to close a comment section is fear of government, the world has become so liberally orientated and so many laws are being implemented denying the right to a view that most media outlets are closing them down rather than risk angering the regime.

As the comments sections close down I migrate to other sites that still have them, and will continue to do so.
 
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