Information and Expression in a Digital Age

TLDR

The Internet functions as a source of political information and a platform for public expression, and informational media—whether traditional or online—are expected to stimulate interpersonal political discussion, online civic messaging, and thereby increase civic participation. The study uses two‑wave national panel survey data to test three synchronous structural equation models—cross‑sectional, fixed‑effects, and autoregressive—along with alternative variable orderings to evaluate the theorized causal structure. Online media complement traditional media in fostering political discussion and civic messaging, which in turn enhance civic participation, and the empirically best‑fitting model shows Internet influence rivaling that of traditional information and expression modes.

Abstract

This article examines the role of the Internet as a source of political information and a sphere for public expression. Informational media use, whether traditional news sources or online public affairs content, is expected to foster interpersonal political discussion and online civic messaging, contributing to increased civic participation. Using two-wave national panel survey data, three types of synchronous structural equation models are tested: cross sectional (relating individual differences), fixed effects (relating intraindividual change), and auto regressive (relating aggregate change). All models reveal that online media complement traditional media to foster political discussion and civic messaging. These two forms of political expression, in turn, influence civic participation. Other variable orderings are tested to compare the theorized model to alternative causal specifications. Results reveal that the model produces the best fit, empirically and theoretically, with the influence of the Internet, rivaling the mobilizing power of traditional modes of information and expression.