As long as there has been news media, there has been audience feedback. This book provides the first definitive history of the evolution of audience feedback, from the early newsbooks of the 16th century to the rough-and-tumble online forums of the modern age. In addition to tracing the historical development of audience feedback, the book considers how news media has changed its approach to accommodating audience participation, and explores how audience feedback can serve the needs of both individuals and collectives in democratic society. Reader writes from a position of authority, having worked as a "letters to the editor" editor and has written numerous research articles and professional essays on the topic over the past 15 years.
This book provides a history of the evolution of audience feedback, from the earliest letters to the editor to the often rancorous online forums. The goal is to help those who manage, study, or use the forums to better understand the complex history and social necessity of such forums in a civilized society.
