The Internet has changed the ways that government officials interact with citizens on the national, state and local levels. The Pew Internet & American Life Project conducts surveys on the ways candidates campaign on the Web and government officials communicate with their constituents online. The project uses public opinion polling, online surveys and other research methods to gather information.
Recent topics explored by the Pew Internet & American Life Project include online media “newshounds;” the number of Americans receiving election news from the Internet; the use of so-called “robocalls” in recent elections; and the effectiveness of presidential campaign ads that are aired on the Web. The data are a resource for government officials, journalists, academic researchers and other interested parties who want to know more about how the Internet is used by government officials and political candidates in the United States.
The Pew Internet & American Life Project is an initiative of the Pew Research Center, a Pew subsidiary based in Washington, D.C. For more information about the Internet and its use by government officials and political campaigns, visit the Pew Internet & American Life Project Web site.
Sep 01, 2009 - Political and civic involvement have long been dominated by those with high levels of income and education, leading some advocates to hope that Internet-based engagement might alter this pattern. However, a new report by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project shows that the Internet is not changing the fundamental socio-economic character of civic engagement in America.
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Apr 15, 2009 - Three-quarters (74%) of Internet users—55% of all U.S. adults—went online to take part in or get news and information about the 2008 election. The most interested are the most likely to browse sites that match their views.
Aug 27, 2008 - A survey at the first global Internet Governance Forum shows activists' want an online Bill of Rights and more competition among service providers.
Mar 27, 2008 - Many Americans assume that China's internet users are unhappy about their government's control of the internet, but a new survey finds most Chinese say they approve of internet regulation, especially by the government.
Dec 30, 2007 - Report examines at how people use the Internet, libraries and government agencies when they need help.
Read: Summary View: Full Report (Adobe PDF)
Jul 26, 2007 - Analysis of the Democratic debate, which was widely anticipated for its groundbreaking format. For the first time, individuals could submit video questions via YouTube to be shown on-screen and answered by the candidates.
Mar 07, 2005 - Study finds that the Internet was a key force in 2004 politics, as 75 million Americans used it to get news, discuss candidates in emails and participate directly in the political process.
Oct 27, 2004 - A poll on Internet users' online behaviors involving political information and discussion.
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