These correlation analyses are presented here. Significant differences between how participants view traditional online versus personalized online newspapers are also presented. Implications of findings from the pilot study are discussed. Finally, plans for the post-pilot online newspaper study are mentioned. Louisiana State University Abstract.
Scholars recognize that knowledge represents power, particularly in a participatory democracy.
In modern society, the Internet offers a unique opportunity for candidates to interact with the citizenry, potentially increasing the transfer of political knowledge. This study examines the Web sites of three top candidates in the 1996 GOP primary to gauge their channel effectiveness - the degree to which candidates take advantage of the medium's unique capacity for immediacy, interactivity, sourcing and multimedia. Attention is devoted to how effective communication on the Web might promote a knowledge gap between those who have access to the Internet and those who do not. In the fall of 1996, the two papers got their first shot at trying to outgun each other in online political coverage.