WEB SURFERS MORE POLITICALLY ACTIVE THAN GENERAL POPULATION, SAYS NIELSEN

http://www.mediacenteronline.com ^

[Stew Padasso]

WEB SURFERS MORE POLITICALLY ACTIVE THAN GENERAL POPULATION, SAYS NIELSEN

Americans who spend time online are more apt to be politically active than the population as a whole, according to a new study from Nielsen//NetRatings, which measures and analyzes Internet usage. Not only are more of this group registered to vote, but they are also more likely to exercise their vote during elections.

Querying a group of Web surfers earlier this month, the research firm found that 86% of Internet users age 18 and older are registered voters, as compared with 70% of the U.S. population in this age bracket. Also, 77% of the online population which was eligible to vote in the 2000 presidential election actually did so, compared with just 60% of all U.S. eligible voters.

Given these results, Nielsen//NetRatings has predicted that the Internet will play a greater role in this year's presidential election. Also, the number of people who are online has risen dramatically since the 2000 election, which in and of itself makes the Web a more critical medium for reaching these voters. More campaigns are expected to include online advertising in this year's contest, and more surfers will use the Internet to research candidates and issues.

Web users' political activities aren't confined to the time they spend surfing. More than half of them said they have signed a petition on a political issue, and 37% reported that they had written a letter to an elected official. Also, 28% of Internet users have donated money to a campaign or a political party.

Of particular importance, 12% of America's online population rates the Internet as the most important source of political news and information. Among these surfers who also donated money to a political campaign or party, the National Review Online rated as the top current-events and global news site. Ranking second was NewsMax.com, followed by the Drudge Report.

"Internet penetration has increased to 75% of the U.S. population," said Nielsen//NetRatings' senior Internet analyst, Greg Bloom. "Web sites enable citizens to get involved whether it's signing an online petition or accessing candidate Web sites."

SOURCE: Nielsen//NetRatings, 3/19/04

[Guillermo]

In other news, the sky is blue and the sun sets in the west.

[Lijahsbubbe]

Interesting. BTW, Nielsen called me this week. Hmmm, time for tinfoil?

[Petronski]

In other news, the sky is blue and the sun sets in the west

Yeah, seriously. They needed a poll to figure out that? Who's running that outfit, Leslie Nielsen?

[baltodog]

I resemble that remark...

[Interesting Times]

This reminds me of a great USA Today parody newpaper from a few years back. It featured headlines like, "Kittens: Cats of Tomorrow?"

[BigSkyFreeper]

Given these results, Nielsen//NetRatings has predicted that the Internet will play a greater role in this year's presidential election.

They were saying that in the last two Presidential election cycles.

[Guillermo]

Just imagine how dead in the water the Democrats would be if they weren't able to get thousands of buses nationwide to coerce and tote ignorant morons to the polls every 2 years..

[Fiddlstix]

WEB SURFERS MORE POLITICALLY ACTIVE THAN GENERAL POPULATION, SAYS NIELSEN

Geee..... No Kiding, Huh! Who'd Thunk It!

[Guillermo]

Rather, thousands of workers to drive buses, and coerce...

[onedoug]

The libs I know who do the most talking aren't even registered to vote.

[Stew Padasso]

LOL. That figures.

[maxwellp]

I have a friend who is highly intelligent. However, she does not have a computer and has no interest in one. To me, at this point in time, she is astoundingly ignorant of many important factors, particularly in the upcoming Presidential election. It is truly amazing!

[Fiddlstix]

That is sad. If an Old Geezer like me can do it, anybody can.....
J

[TaxRelief]

emotional quotient > intelligence quotient?

[Mr. Buzzcut]

In other news, the sky is blue and the sun sets in the west

Yeah, seriously. They needed a poll to figure out that? Who's running that outfit, Leslie Nielsen?

I see headlines like this and i just shake my head ... DUH! ;)

Worse than polls are government funded studies ofthe obvious.

[sauropod]

"WEB SURFERS MORE POLITICALLY ACTIVE THAN GENERAL POPULATION, SAYS NIELSEN"

No sh*t sherlock!

[cyborg]

Well who knew?!

[I still care]

The best news is, National Review Online is the number one political destination for these surfers.

We have to get FR #1 on that list.

[longtermmemmory]

Interesting that the article skipped the conservative / liberal leanings of the internet users. It suggests a conservative dominance. (duh)