| This thesis explores why citizens are motivated to read and post comments on online articles and other original news content. This phenomenon, brought about by contemporary communications technologies, has helped drive the restoration of collective contemplation. Based on uses and gratifications theory, this research analyzed responses to a questionnaire about media consumption and commentary participation habits, and motivations for reading and posting comments. The findings suggest a direct relationship among levels of media participation and civic participation, and cognitive and personal integrative gratifications. This suggests the citizenry may be motivated to participate in collective contemplation through online discussion and commentary about the news in order to acquire knowledge, information, and understanding of fellow citizens' views, and to establish themselves as credible members of an open and democratic society. |
