De participatieparadox

Information on news websites is no longer simply communication from one to many, but rather the news organizations now facilitate possibilities for participation. Does this mean that every online news user also makes use of it? Or do they online consume news? This research provides an overview of the degree of participation on news websites and the factors that influence online news users persuade or dissuade the participation. In order to do so, the study comprised two different methods. The first method is a content analysis of fifteen news websites, to see which opportunities for participation they offer. The second method is an online survey for online news users, to discover the visit and degree of participation on news websites. The content analysis showed that participation on news websites is alive. This can be at an active or a less active manner. It should not be established that all online news users also use these possibilities. The online survey shows that the majority of respondents only consumes. There is a small portion of the respondents that also participates at different levels. This shows the higher the effort, the more people drop out. Especially young people aged between fourteen and twenty-four years don’t participate on news websites. They find it costs too much time and effort. This is in contrast to the number of respondents who do participate. They see the benefits to participate on news websites. The explanation is that the social reflex plays an important role. The idea that people feel responsible for convincing other people, is particularly relevant for people from 25 years old. Young people see less of the added value of participating. Based on the research question can be concluded that the majority of users will not participate on news, because not everyone can participate, not everyone wants to participate and not everyone knows that they can participate. The smaller portion of users do participate on news, because they can and want to participate and know why they participate. News websites raise the possibility of participating at a higher level, but so far it seems most of the online news users having trouble giving it a place in their news use: "The participation paradox '.