The Effect of Kuwaiti Online Readers’ Comments on Sectarian and Tribal Issues: A Case Study of the Online Newspaper Alaan

Abstract

One of the dilemmas faced by online newspapers is how to handle readers' comments. The interactive nature of the Internet encourages online readers to express their ideas, feelings and opinions freely without fear of negative outcomes resulting from crossing the restrictions of freedom expression that have been set by the government or by online editors. Arab online editors encourage their readers to comment on news stories but censor what they consider to be offensive, anti-nationalist or blasphemous against Islam. An attitudinal study involving online content analysis found those readers' comments in the first Kuwaiti online newspaper, Alaan, encourage enmity among its readers and lead to increased religious and ethnic bigotry among Kuwaiti students. 1 All local Kuwaiti print newspapers also have online versions. 2 http://www.alaan.cc/client/pagedetails. asp? nid=7658 & cid=30. 3 By law, it is illegal to criticize the Emir. The Effect of Kuwaiti Online Readers' Comments on Sectarian and Tribal Issues: A Case Study of the Online Newspaper Alaan Journal of Mass Communication & Journalism J o u rn al of M a s s C o m munic a ti o n & Jo urna lis m

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