For the first time ever, Internet websites and online searches were the top sources for political news, beating TV, radio, newspapers and even social media sites, according to a new survey of employer and employee political activities.
In the survey, provided to Secrets in advance of its Monday’s release, 21 percent of employees looking for political news said they turned to the Internet; 19 percent to cable news; 18 percent to network news; 14 percent to print news; 7 percent to social media; 6 percent to online newspapers; and 3 percent to radio.
Conducted for the Business-Industry Political Action Committee, which represents 7,300 businesses and associations nationwide, the survey also found that employers were the “most credible source” for policy and political information, beating out political parties, labor unions and the media.
What’s more, employers have beefed up their communication with workers on policy issues — and employees are welcoming it, the first clear sign that businesses now have the green light to expand public policy education efforts.
Said the survey: “31 percent of survey respondents ranked their employer as the most credible. This was followed by 28 percent who ranked either political party highest and 16 percent who favor the credibility of organized labor unions.” The media was nearly last at just 3 percent.
And employees acted on what they heard from the boss. For example, 63 percent said what they heard from their employer inspired them to vote.
“Younger workers reacted more positively than older workers to political and policy information being shared with them,” added he survey analysis, provided below. “Seventy percent of 18-34 year old employees found the information provided to them made them more likely to vote. And 91 percent of 18-34 voters and 90 percent of 35-44 voters found the information provided by their employer was helpful in making their voting decision,” it added.
The conclusion? “Employer political communication isn’t about Republicans versus Democrats, red voters versus blue voters, or even just elections. Employer to employee civic communication is about educating and activating those workers whose prosperity is directly affected by business and workplace issues of importance to them. Motivating more Americans to get involved in the political process fosters improved results and better policy outcomes,” said BIPAC.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
