A Critique of Internet Polls as Symbolic Representation and Pseudo-Events |
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| Authors: | Michael L Kent Tyler R Harrison Maureen Taylor |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Communication , Western Michigan University , MKent@WMich.edu;3. Department of Communication , Purdue University ,;4. School of Communication , Western Michigan University , |
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| Abstract: | The Internet continues to grow as an information and entertainment medium. Internet growth has implications for the news industry. Twenty-four hour news networks such as CNN and MSNBC regularly encourage viewers of their television programs to visit their Web sites. While visiting news Web sites, visitors are invited to participate in opinion polls. Unfortunately, these online opinion polls are not scientific and have little real news value. In spite of these limitations, news Web sites' Internet polls are often treated as serious topics in broadcast news discussions. This article examines media organizations' Internet online polls and critiques them as instances of symbolic representation and pseudo-events that have arisen largely out of the integration of print, broadcast, and Internet media. |
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| Keywords: | Internet Opinion Polling Poll Polling Pseudo Events Symbolic Symbolic Representation World Wide Web |
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