40% of Internet Users Have Accessed Raw Government Data

From the Overview of Pew Internet's Government Online (2010)

Government agencies have begun to open up their data to the public, and a surprisingly large number of citizens are showing interest. Some 40% of adult internet users have gone online for raw data about government spending and activities. This includes anyone who has done at least one of the following: look online to see how federal stimulus money is being spent (23% of internet users have done this); read or download the text of legislation (22%); visit a site such as data.gov that provides access to government data (16%); or look online to see who is contributing to the campaigns of their elected officials (14%).

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The report also finds that 31% of online adults have used social tools such as blogs, social networking sites, and online video as well as email and text alerts to keep informed about government activities. Moreover, these new tools show particular appeal to groups that have historically lagged in their use of other online government offerings—in particular, minority Americans. Latinos and African Americans are just as likely as whites to use these tools to keep up with government, and are much more likely to agree that government outreach using these channels makes government more accessible and helps people be more informed about what government agencies are doing.

From the Report's Summary of Findings:

As government agencies at all levels bring their services online, Americans are turning in large numbers to government websites to access information and services. Fully 82% of internet users (representing 61% of all American adults) looked for information or completed a transaction on a government website in the twelve months preceding this survey. Some of the specific government website activities in which Americans take part include:

• 48% of internet users have looked for information about a public policy or issue online with their local, state or federal government
• 46% have looked up what services a government agency provides
• 41% have downloaded government forms
• 35% have researched official government documents or statistics
• 33% have renewed a driver’s license or auto registration
• 30% have gotten recreational or tourist information from a government agency
• 25% have gotten advice or information from a government agency about a health or safety issue
• 23% have gotten information about or applied for government benefits
• 19% have gotten information about how to apply for a government job
• 15% have paid a fine, such as a parking ticket
• 11% have applied for a recreational license, such as a fishing or hunting license

Sounds like a damn good reason to actively support LAW.GOV to me. [JH]