Do you think comments below articles are valuable?

[Advisor]

becomes valuable after distinguishing the people of worth vs the rest. not sure why publishers closing comments, perhaps due to lack of control over what's valuable and what's not or perhaps until the likes of fb has a efficient enough app to monitor comments, fake news. it would be great if there was some sort of user rating system to track user comments and immediately show who's a novice and who's an expert, also who just complains and who's genuinely wanting to engage or contribute constructively.

 

[Morning Library]

I have sometimes learned something, mostly around IT, from the comments section. Especially when there is some back and forwards between a couple of techies.

 

[markian2001]

It makes for lively and interesting debate that sometimes gets out of hand.

 

[sand_man]

Yes and no. Some comments add value, others do not. Is that not the nature of the world?

Once upon a time I would be following an online Youtube tutorial, get myself into heaps of s hit, gone to the comments section and discovered either the solution and/or the flaws in the tut that caused the s hit in the first place...

 

[Grovers]

Before for I buy something online I first check the comment box

 

[Geoff.D]

The section has a place and is useful provided the comments stick to the topic and are reasonable. Unfortunately, social media has ensured that most comment sections turn into a complete circus, and open the publishing house to being complicit in complicated civil challenges.
Hence, I understand why they are stopping it.
And, social media in the broadest possible definition, does not see that the behaviour of people on social media platforms is so win the seeds for its own demise.

 

[yebocan]

from the interesting, to the outrageous - all bring value. Find it totally interesting - the evolution of held thoughts and worldviews.

 

[Dimpie (JIGSAW)]

It's good for a "LoL"

 

[Goosfrabba]

Yes. How else would Ettienne tell us it is Friday?

 

[Dkdup]

I can't breat...speak

 

[albertk]

Eyewitness News has announced that it will close its comments section (more here).

Do you think comment sections add value? If so, why do you think big publishers are closing their comment sections?

Sometimes I find an article I would like to reply to, but when I look at the comments it appears the same people are generally hugging the comments and starting verbal fights with other users, in the process going away totally from the subject. So, yes, do away with comments to prevent those trolls having a platform for their conspiracy theories.

 

[redspark]

Not valuable, but entertaining like the old News24 comments. I also enjoy the comments on MoneyWeb as well - more value, less rubbish.

 

[buffalobill]

Fokol. If it was of any value someone in the fckerment would have taken his finger out his but, stick it in someones nose and lift the cigarette ban.

Ooh. Someone hasn't had a fag today.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Should be in one place IMO, either the forum or the article.

Having comments in two different places seems counter-intuitive...

 

[buffalobill]

They're valuable to a point, depending on the topic. Moderation, however, is needed in general to keep out conspiracists, trolls. spam, abuse and racism. This sad but necessary.

 

[BartinN7]

Comments must be substantiated well enough, in order to be valuable.

Comments sections should not be used to spread undue and unnecessary negativity

 

[Tabac]

Ooh. Someone had an expensive schit tasting fag today.

Ftfy

 

[seanogilvie]

Because certain elements of the population don't like hearing the truth from fellow South Africans and believe there own bullshit to be the only truth!!!

 

[Zanadu]

Comments sometimes give 'updates' for current news. Comments can identify BS stories.

 

[Xarelto]

Does point to how much the article is valued by the readers. Offers insight into general mood and astuteness .