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The Internet, Political Discourse, and Today's Context
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We here in the blogosphere are obviously a young and ever-evolving dynamic in politics and government. Increasingly, blogs help drive news stories, shape opinions, foment discussion, and propel activism. Yet, we need to keep it all in perspective.
As much as the Internet is a rapidly expanding source of political news for Americans, it is not yet dominant. Huge swaths of the electorate still rely on other mediums to obtain political news and information.
Recent research by Pew found that 46% of Americans had used the Internet - and text messaging - to obtain or share information about this year's campaign. Yet, while the number of Americans using the Internet for political intercourse is rising, TV, radio, and newspapers still remain powerful.
Similar studies by Pew found that 18% of Americans considered the Internet their primary source for political news in 2004 . In 2006 that number held almost steady at 15% - likely due to the older tilt of midterm electorates versus the infusion of younger voters in Presidential years.
No doubt the overall number will go up in 2008, but even at that it is highly probable a majority of Americans will continue to get more of their political information from non-Internet sources than otherwise.
We should keep that in mind when we get worked up about the potential electoral impacts of the gaffe of the week, web video, or witty repartee.
Originally posted at Sound Politics.
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