Spring Break
Campaigning in cyberspace
Internet emerges as critical medium for connection
Paul Petrone
Issue date: 11/3/08 Section: Election Special
Ladewig states that the internet does allow for more ideas to get out, and with that lesser candidates get more attention as well. Maintaining a Web site is much cheaper than rallies and advertisements in newspapers and television, allowing for more diversity, he added.
The Internet is far from perfect however. Many false rumors, such as the allegations that Obama is a terrorist or distasteful practices, such as a recent pornographic movie with a Sarah Palin look-a-like, are spread through the Internet.
"There is less accountability on the Internet," said Russ Bratkmon, a 3rd-semester molecular and cell biology major. "If someone writes something on the Internet and it's wrong, so what, but if someone puts it in the paper, people will notice and make a big deal about it."
Ladewig agreed.
"It goes back to the dedication of the voter," he said. "Its up to the voter to be informed."
Ladewig does feel, however, that the Internet does make it "harder to distinguish between good and bad information."
On campus, it appears students use the internet as a source for politics, but they have their doubts about its accuracy as well.
"I prefer to stick with more traditional media," said Eli Pearlstein, a 5th-semester journalism and political science major, as he feels it is "more tangible. Meanwhile, there are so many sites that aren't reliable."
"It's just, the Internet is so broad - it can't all be true," added Sierra Ryan, a 5th-semester English major.
Social networking sites are also a source of online politicking, as students post articles and Youtube videos on their pages.
"[Other students] put links that I can look at," said Kaitlin Kennedy, a 7th-semester accounting major.
"I go on Facebook everyday, so it's easy."
The Internet is far from perfect however. Many false rumors, such as the allegations that Obama is a terrorist or distasteful practices, such as a recent pornographic movie with a Sarah Palin look-a-like, are spread through the Internet.
"There is less accountability on the Internet," said Russ Bratkmon, a 3rd-semester molecular and cell biology major. "If someone writes something on the Internet and it's wrong, so what, but if someone puts it in the paper, people will notice and make a big deal about it."
Ladewig agreed.
"It goes back to the dedication of the voter," he said. "Its up to the voter to be informed."
Ladewig does feel, however, that the Internet does make it "harder to distinguish between good and bad information."
On campus, it appears students use the internet as a source for politics, but they have their doubts about its accuracy as well.
"I prefer to stick with more traditional media," said Eli Pearlstein, a 5th-semester journalism and political science major, as he feels it is "more tangible. Meanwhile, there are so many sites that aren't reliable."
"It's just, the Internet is so broad - it can't all be true," added Sierra Ryan, a 5th-semester English major.
Social networking sites are also a source of online politicking, as students post articles and Youtube videos on their pages.
"[Other students] put links that I can look at," said Kaitlin Kennedy, a 7th-semester accounting major.
"I go on Facebook everyday, so it's easy."
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