This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Online reader comments. Love them? Hate them? Never read them?
Sltrib.com are invited to take a brief online survey about reader comments on articles. The survey, created by Salt Lake Tribune Deputy Editor Tim Fitzpatrick as part of a University of Utah marketing research project, is a chance for readers to weigh in on their preferences for allowing comments and for allowing commenters to use pseudonyms. The survey collects some demographic information, but participants are not asked to identify themselves. The survey is open through March 6. Results will be released later.
Since launching reader comments in 2007, The Tribune has allowed commenters to use pseudonyms, but they must stay with their names. They cannot re-register under a new name or have multiple names. To register, all commenters agree to follow the rules, and that includes avoiding profanity, hate speech and irrelevance. Registered commenters can post in real time without pre-screening, although The Tribune does monitor comments and respond to complaints, removing posts that violate the rules and banning commenters who repeatedly violate.
Reader comments are a subject of debate for news organizations, and The Tribune continues to monitor comments strategies from across the industry, including some who do not allow pseudonyms and do pre-screen comments. Readers are encouraged to take this survey to give their input on these approaches. In all cases, the Tribune will continue to strive for an interactive experience that allows its readers to participate in lively, informed discussions. Take the online survey: http://eccles.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3PnTkAeNjVaIkDj