US election increased popularity of online news
Thursday, 16, Apr 2009 01:05
About 55 per cent of all US citizens of voting age turned to the web for online news and information about last year's election, according to new statistics.
Figures from the Pew Internet & American Life Project revealed that 74 per cent of all US web users also used the web for election-related news articles and information in the run-up to the big vote.
Social media sites and social networks were found to play a particularly important role in enabling voters to discuss the election with others and promote a particular cause.
One-third of web users said they shared online content relating to the election with others, while 52 per cent used a social network for political reasons.
Meanwhile, 26 per cent of Americans said they now see online news as particularly important when following specific campaigns, up from 11 per cent in 2000.
"Voters in 2008 were not just passive followers of the political process. They used a wide range of digital tools and technologies to get involved in the race," commented Aaron Smith, research specialist at the Pew Internet & American Life Project and author of the report.
In the UK, online news is the second most trusted source of information for consumers behind recommendations from friends, according to TNS Global.
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