Internet vs. TV during Election '08

I wanted to know how much the Internet plays a role in being our source on information on the political campaign.

According to a December 19-30, 2007 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, nearly 25% of the population said they “regularly” learned something new about the presidential candidates via Internet – versus only 12% in 2004.

Traditional evening news television broadcasts and newspapers are still the primary source where people obtain information regarding the presidential hopefuls. The Internet has, however, beaten NPR, C-Span, morning and late night news, in addition to political programming on the numerous cable channels.

The numbers do change when you take age into consideration. Those, between ages 18-29, 42%, had used the Internet as their primary source for obtaining information about the candidates. However, of those between ages 30-49, only 26% had used the Internet to gain information on the hopefuls.

I use the Internet to find not only the political parties’ opinions, but to find the diverse opinions of others as well. I enjoy watching the candidates at work and learning about their positions through online video – something all of the candidates have embraced and incorporated into their Internet marketing strategies this year. It’s nice knowing that if I miss something on TV I can always catch it on YouTube.

- Lain Ewing