Online Newspapers and the Comment Sections: Perception and Use

Development in online communication within the last decade which coincided with advent of web2.0 technologies has enabled user generated content online. This development saw evolve print newspapers to it version. The comment platform is space attached beneath an newspaper where readers register their views on news content. place deliberation serves gauge public opinion affairs nation can be muddled users view new stories, media and its section. Research shown that use section for various purposes. work focused Nigerian readers, Thus, examined users’ perception sites as well investigating uses by users. It hinged Uses Gratification theory. Online survey method was adopted distribute five hundred copies questionnaires a return rate 406 copies. Data collected analysed using Statistical Package Social Sciences (SPSS). findings revealed most perceive biased affiliation site particular zone affects stories. In addition, discovered used mostly sharing ideas