Working thru a whole lot of thoughts and considerations for a debate platform.

The Goal

• Create an easy-to-follow safe space that is inviting to opposing viewpoints to participate in meaningful, spirited and civil discussion.

Considerations

• According to our research via ENP and Eric French commenter interviews, people engage in comments for a number of reasons including to take part in a debate, to balance a discussion, to add their diverse viewpoint, and to learn from the viewpoints of others.
• This type of feature could very susceptible to harassment, offensive content, or abuse.
  • Question: In what ways can can the platform equip users with the tools to protect themselves? In what was should the newsroom and platform help protect the users?
• As a result, it is likely that this would be a high touch moderation situation (aka moderators, or engagement editors would be very intentional about monitoring the discussions). — This is not intended to replace the traditional commenting platform but rather be a separate setting.
• Having a well written question will be essential to set the tone for the discussion.
  • Give the commenters something direct that they are responding to. Structure is very very important.
• What are the values that are important relating to a good debate.
• This type of platform would definitely need a robust guide to go along with it.

Requirements

• Newsrooms will pose a debate topic for commenters to share their opinion/thoughts/feelings on.
• Emphasis is placed on being able to visually see that a debate is going on, as a result seeing differences on stances/opinions should be easy to decipher.
• Conversations must be easy to follow and read.
• Many many things could possibly go wrong in this type of format the ability to report comments must be easy to find.
• It is very important participants are aware and agree to the code of conduct. A newsroom may even have unique messaging about the "rules" of participating in this space.
• Creation of a Guide to go along with this feature and how newsrooms can implement this safely and effectively to build community.