Anonymous Commenters` Contributions to Online Debates and Discourses on Abba Kyari: A Critical Review

Abstract

The Internet has made the publication of online news possible. It has also empowered readers to react and comment on what they read on news platforms. Some of these comments are made anonymously. This study looked at the comments made anonymously in response to posted news stories on Sahara Reporters, The Cable, and Premium Times platforms about the former Chief of Staff to Nigeria's President, Abba Kyari, who died of COVID 19 complications. This was a prevalent topic in the news, especially the debate on the controversial roles he played on most national issues. The research was hinged on the Technological Determinism Theory. Content analysis research method was used to glean data from the news outlets. Coding sheets and coding guide were used to collect data. The unit of analysis were anonymous comments. Results showed that most of the comments had harsh tone, and some were not related to Abba Kyari`s issue.The study concluded that online discourse can be improved upon, and some responsibility and consistency brought into commenting when more steps are taken to moderate comments. It recommended that news platforms should spell out guidelines commenters must abide by if they must make any post anonymously, and where necessary, perpetually abusive anonymous commenters should be made to register with their names, addresses and phone numbers, andcharged a fee to activate their accounts. Also, news platforms must put in place pre-moderation systems to manage comment quality by using content-filtering systems that all posts must pass through so as to remove offensive comments before they are made public.