When I said in August newspapers are doomed, I didn’t realize how fast the demise is progressing.   According to a new Pew Research survey, the Internet is now second only to television as a primary campaign news source for Americans.

Many more Americans are turning to the internet for campaign news this year as the web becomes a key source of election news. Television remains the dominant source, but the percent who say they get most of their campaign news from the internet has tripled since October 2004 (from 10% then to 33% now).

Contrasted to the web’s considerable growth for campaign news was the relatively flat performance since 2004 of TV and newspapers.  In the study the Internet surpasses newspapers by 4 percent.  Demographics are clearly breaking in the web’s favor. Nearly 50 percent of 18-29 year olds claim the internet as their first or second news source, with only 17 percent naming newspapers. Even for 30 to 49-year-olds, 37 percent named the Internet compared to 23 percent for newspapers. It’s not until the over-50’s segment that newspapers overtake the Internet as first or second-choice source for election news.

While I hold to my belief that the web and digital new media have a long battle ahead to overcome TV’s dominance, I was not surprised by how TV has flat-lined in terms of growth when compared to the Internet’s explosive popularity.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Bill Bartman is an independent correspondent, investigative reporter, and consultant for print, broadcast, and digital new media.  He also consults digital new media and related telecommunications and information technology ventures.

Article Tags: campaign news sources | internet | newspapers | Pew Research | television | web growth

Filed under: Election, News article, TV