2003-03-31-皮尤-The_Internet_and_the_Iraq_war_11页_85kb

Summary of "The Internet and the Iraq War"

Core Content

This report by the Pew Internet & American Life Project examines how Americans used the Internet to learn about the Iraq War, form opinions, and engage in discussions during the early stages of the conflict. It highlights the growing role of the Internet as a news source, particularly in comparison to traditional media like television, and explores the differences in how war supporters and opponents engaged with online platforms.

Main Points

• Internet Usage for War News:

  • 77% of online Americans used the Internet in connection with the war.
  • 55% used email for related activities, and 56% used the Web for news and information.
  • 17% of online Americans primarily relied on the Internet for war news, a significant increase from the 3% after the 9/11 attacks.
  • The online audience for war-related news increased dramatically in the days leading up to and following the start of the war, with 33% of Internet users accessing news each day during the first five days after the war began.

• TV Still Dominates News Consumption:

  • Despite the rise in online news consumption, TV remained the primary source of war news for most Americans.
  • 87% of online Americans got their war news from TV, compared to 17% from the Internet.

• Demographic Trends in Internet Use:

  • Men were more likely than women to use the Internet for war news.
  • Higher-income and more educated individuals were more likely to seek news online.
  • Broadband users were more engaged in online activities related to the war than dial-up users.
  • Younger users (under 30) and those with more than six years of online experience were more likely to use blogs.

• Email and the War:

  • 55% of online Americans used email for war-related communication.
  • Men were more likely to use email for news alerts, while women were more likely to use it for prayer requests and discussing the war with family.
  • 29% of online Americans received patriotic email, and 25% received prayer requests.

• Web Usage and War-Related Activities:

  • 56% of online Americans accessed the Web for information about the war.
  • 45% of Internet users got news about the war in the initial days of the conflict.
  • Broadband users were more likely to seek war-related information than dial-up users.

• Sites Used for War Information:

  • American TV network sites were the most visited (32%).
  • American newspaper sites (29%) and U.S. government sites (15%) were also commonly used.
  • Alternative media, foreign news sites, and war-related group sites were used by smaller percentages.

• Blogs:

  • Blogs gained a small following, with 4% of online Americans accessing them for war-related information.
  • Younger users and more active Internet users were more likely to engage with blogs.

• Perceived Benefits of Online News:

  • 66% of Internet users valued the variety of sources, and 63% appreciated the timeliness of online news.
  • 52% of users believed online sources offered different points of view than traditional media and government sources.
  • Younger and more experienced users were more likely to find online news helpful for staying informed.

• Impact of Internet Use:

  • 41% of Internet users said the Internet helped them stay up to date on events.
  • 19% said it helped shape their views, with war opponents more likely to report this benefit.
  • 20% said the Internet helped them share their views with others, again with war opponents more likely to report this.

• Changes in Opinion:

  • Only 6% of Internet users said online information changed their mind about the war.
  • War opponents were more likely than supporters to be influenced by online information, and younger users were more likely to be swayed.

• Differences Between Supporters and Opponents:

  • War opponents were more politically active online, more likely to discuss the war, and more likely to seek diverse sources of information.
  • They were also more likely to receive emails from anti-war organizations and to engage with alternative media and foreign news sites.
  • In contrast, war supporters were more likely to receive patriotic emails and to communicate with elected officials.

• Similarities in General Internet Use:

  • Despite differences in specific activities, both supporters and opponents used the Internet at similar rates and for general news.
  • Opponents spent slightly more time online during a typical day.

Key Information

• Survey Methodology:

  • The survey was conducted between March 20 and March 25, 2003, with a sample of 1,600 adults.
  • The margin of error for the total sample is ±3%, and for Internet users is ±4%.
  • The final response rate was 31.1%.

• Internet vs. Traditional Media:

  • While TV remains the primary source for most Americans, the Internet has become a significant secondary source.
  • The Internet provides a platform for diverse opinions and real-time updates, which is especially appealing to younger and more experienced users.

• Conclusion:

  • The Internet played a growing role in how Americans consumed and discussed war news, but it did not replace traditional media.
  • War opponents were more engaged with the Internet for critical and alternative perspectives, while supporters were more likely to use it for patriotic and supportive communication.
  • The Internet's influence on shaping opinions was limited, but it was a key tool for political engagement and information sharing.