Study: Internet Feeds Political Debates

Oct. 27, 2004 — -- Political junkies of all stripes have gotten much of their news and political commentary during this year's campaign from online sources, and a new survey finds the Internet is contributing to a wider awareness of political views.

The study released today by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, in collaboration with the University of Michigan School of Information, concludes that an often-expressed worry that people would use the Internet only to seek information that reinforces their political preferences has not held true.

Rather, the study found that Internet users have greater overall exposure to political arguments, including those that challenge their candidate preferences and their positions on key issues.

The conclusions were drawn after respondents were asked if they ever heard some of the major arguments for and against President Bush and Sen. John Kerry, the Iraq war, same-sex marriage and free trade. Consistently, Internet users -- especially those with broadband connections -- had been exposed to most arguments, including ones that challenged their opinions. This was true after statistical tests were performed that controlled for other factors, such as the reality that Internet users have higher levels of education than nonusers and generally are more interested in politics.

"Internet users do not burrow themselves into informational warrens where they hear nothing but arguments that reinforce their views," said John Horrigan, senior research specialist at the Pew Project. "Instead, Internet users are exposed to more political points of view and more arguments against the things they support. That should be heartening to those who are concerned about the future of democratic debate."

According to the Pew Research Center for The People & The Press, more than 40 percent of Americans who are online have gotten news and information about the campaign this year, about double the number who had used the Web for such information in 2000.

The current survey found that television remains the primary source of information for campaign arguments and points of view about the Iraq war, same-sex marriage and free trade. At the same time, 31 percent of broadband users now cite the Internet as their main source, nearly the same number as those who say they rely on newspapers (35 percent).

Also, 30 percent of Internet users have visited Web sites of nontraditional news organizations to get news about politics and issues.

"People are using the Internet to broaden their political horizons, not narrow them," said Kelly Garrett of the University of Michigan, who co-authored the report with Horrigan. "Use of the Internet doesn't necessarily diminish partisanship, or even zealotry. But it does expose online Americans to more points of view, and, on balance, that is a good thing."