User-generated content and bias in news media

摘要

UGC has become very popular in the online economy in the form o blogs, wikis, videos, social networks etc. Along with this, news media has started integrating the UGC in its online version. On the other hand readers create groups to put forth their views and share opinions. News readers often stated asking questions through these platforms about subjects of current interest. There is o clear idea about the impact user generated reports on the professionally prepared contents that appear in news papers. This paper investigates the impact of newspaper's decision to include UGC n their online versions with respect to the reporting bias and profitability of newspaper companies. The main difference between the print edition and the online version is the ability to incorporate UGC in the later. The online version is more appealing to readers with strong political views who would like to be heard by other readers. Hence, there could be proliferation of readers based on their extreme views. In other words, moderate readers opt for print editions where as those with extreme opinions like to go for online versions. Though some studies have dealt with UGC in the past none of them have focused on the ability of UGC in generating reports online. This study extends its investigation of UGC in this angle so as to examine its impact on the profitability of the newspaper companies. (32 refs.)