The world wide web, since its inception, has offered a wide range of opportunities that can be experienced quicker than you can double-click your mouse. 

Immediacy and involvement are two important ones, especially for the news world.

Visitors to news websites are no longer simply seen as passive readers. They’re asked to submit news tips and photos and information, increasing the ability to cover what reporters and photographers may miss.

An online story is never written in stone. It can repeatedly be updated, corrected, and now commented on.

On sites for major outlets such as the CBC or the Edmonton Journal, readers have the option to leave their mark by writing an opinion in a forum on the page beneath a story.

Comments trail after some stories for what seems like miles, as each one likely prompts several others, created a fanned-out conversation.

Unfortunately, at times the discussion strays away from the subject at hand or can become abusive or inappropriate. 

Currently, the CBC is dealing with a complaint made by the Manitoba-based Southern Chiefs Organization last week that the CBC.ca reader comments sections are a forum for hatred of First Nations people.

But if participants can respect the process and appreciate the value of being able to share their opinions, great things can happen online. 

Stories and issues are better understood. Opinions can be changed. Readers can do a better job checking for errors than just one editor, as hundreds of minds are better than one.

It may be that anonymity encourages people to leave harsh, heated remarks or to engage in arguments with perfect strangers. In the same regard, that may be why some hesitate to call up a radio talk show, engage in a debate at a public meeting, or scribe a letter to the local newspaper.

Though an online public forum is no place for hatred or abuse, it’s nearly impossible to get people to self-censor the 10,000 comments some sites receive each day.

In the meantime, these sites should devote the time and energy to moderate comments on news stories, as these forums are a valuable resource.

It’s a fantastic opportunity when people pay attention to the news and have the chance to share their two cents.