The Arizona Republic ends reader commenting on azcentral.com stories

MSN ^ | 1/25/24 | Arizona Republic

[DallasBiff]

We feel strongly that public discussion and civil debate are crucial to our society.

We know that you, our readers, know things that we don’t. You come from different backgrounds and have different experiences. We’re all better when we can hear one another and learn from different perspectives.

That’s why the USA TODAY Network invested in extensive research and testing with the Center for Media Engagement before deciding to enable comments on our news sites in 2020.

But for all their benefits, we also know that comment sections across the internet can quickly devolve when they’re left unmonitored. We wanted to be different. Involvement from our journalists in the discussion and moderating when things got off track helped us provide a better experience.

[DallasBiff]

Oh my, the Ministry of Truth is not pleased.

[MeganC]

Can’t have the proles speaking out against the Official Narrative. Nope, not at all.

[desertsolitaire]

I have found the comments frequently give more information, clarity, and context to the actual stories. I think more sites have stopped them now than allow them.

[1Old Pro]

I have found the comments frequently give more information, clarity, and context to the actual stories. I think more sites have stopped them now than allow them.

Of course i.e. the value of Free Republic

[Jamestown1630]

I think the comments have more useful information all over the Internet.

[fwdude]

Leftist websites are the very first to discontinue comment sections when too much truth is interjected. Every time.

[Bob434]

They coulda shortened it to

“We know that you readers love your constitutional rights, but we here are afraid of the right to free speech, therefore we will not allow it- capiche?”

[McGavin999]

Pravda objecting to other opinions? Oh my

[aquila48]

I won’t read a story unless it has a comments section. It’s the only way you can get the “full story”. Without it it’s just what they choose to feed you.

[Seruzawa]

Most leftists are incapable of justifying their beliefs. They don’t know why they believe what they believe. Thus their response is always to try to shut you up.

[Dogbert41]

When the average Jane and Joe in the comments sections make the staff writers look like the ignorant propagandists they are…

[Presbyterian Reporter]

Wonderful timing by the Arizona Republic.

Kari Lake audio of Jeff Dewit is breaking news.

And then Arizona Republic stops reader comments

[frogjerk]

They only want one-way communication to the masses. They do not want anyone to challenge their propaganda. How very Democratic of them.

[kaktuskid]

Basically the PHX edition of Gannett Owned- USA Today

[DallasBiff]

Back in BI(before internet) times, newspapers could pick an choose letters to the editor.

[algore]

all of my local newspapers and news organizations cut off comments a long time ago.

it really sucks. I really hope the Daily Mail keeps their comment section.

[Presbyterian Reporter]

“”””Back in BI(before internet) times, newspapers could pick and choose letters to the editor.””””

---

You are so correct. The newspapers have been in the readership censoring business from the very beginning.

[Rinnwald]

Of our local Seattle news outlets, only the ABC affiliate, KOMO, allows comments on their site. I’m surprised it has lasted this long.

The commenters are overwhelmingly conservative, and it provides a nice sounding board in an otherwise liberal dominated media.

From their story selections, I surmise KOMO skews the most right of the local news networks.

[alternatives?]

I discount any article where opinions are not allowed. Otherwise, I am just getting one opinion.

[Dr. Sivana]

Kari Lake audio of Jeff Dewit is breaking news.

I live in Phoenix.

The Arizona Republic is the worst big city paper by far that I have ever seen. A visiting pal of mine likes reading newspapers, and he couldn't even stomach the Arizona Republic for its lack of content.

One of my benchmarks for the health of a society, or at least of its local newspaper is how often politics is the headline.

Every day, it seems the main headline in the Arizona Republic is about politics rather than newsy news.

Example:
NEWS: Hurricane Yolanda hits Miami.
POLI-NEWS: New Poll shows Trump vulnerable in Arizona.


So, how is the Arizona Republic spinning the bribery case?
I do not purchase the Republic. I do check the headline when I am Fry's.

They spun the situation not as "a corrupt Republican exposed by Lake", or even "Republican Head Setup by Bitch Kari Lake", but instead cried about division, conflict and breakdown within the Republican Party. The idea being to cast both sides as losers with no heroes.