BBC Gives Users Control Over Debate

The BBC recently invited two regular contributors to its online debates to lead a webchat on the future of the Anglican Church.

Both participants are frequent participants in the corporation’s Have Your Say (HYS) section and have different views on Anglicanism.

Writing on BBC blog The Editors, Matthew Eltringham says that the reactively moderated discussion essentially took the form of “an extended webchat”.

He notes: “It was our first experiment in trying to find new ways of engaging the audience and evolving a more dynamic and more thoughtful approach to HYS.”

The assistant editor of interactivity also asserts that the contributions of the two users enhanced the online discussion.

“Quite a few contributors put straightforward questions to the pair, which they were able to answer directly.

“They both enjoyed the experience and would have continued for longer than the two-hour slot.”