Inter-organizational digital divide: Civic groups' media strategies in the Trinity River Corridor Project Metadata
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Title
- Main Title Inter-organizational digital divide: Civic groups' media strategies in the Trinity River Corridor Project
Creator
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Author: Ignatow, GabrielCreator Type: PersonalCreator Info: University of North Texas
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Author: Schuett, Jessica LynnCreator Type: PersonalCreator Info: National Council for Science and the Environment (U.S.)
Publisher
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Name: University of Illinois at Chicago. LibraryPlace of Publication: [Chicago, Illinois]
Date
- Creation: 2011-11-07
Language
- English
Description
- Content Description: Article on inter-organizational digital divides and civic groups' media strategies in the Trinity River Corridor Project.
- Physical Description: 18 p.
Subject
- Keyword: civic groups
- Keyword: social media
- Keyword: Trinity River
Source
- Journal: First Monday, 16(11), University of Illinois at Chicago. Library, November 7, 2011, pp. 1-18
Citation
- Publication Title: First Monday
- Volume: 16
- Issue: 11
- Pages: 22
- Peer Reviewed: True
Collection
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Name: UNT Scholarly WorksCode: UNTSW
Institution
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Name: UNT College of Public Affairs and Community ServiceCode: UNTCPA
Rights
- Rights Access: public
Resource Type
- Article
Format
- Text
Identifier
- Archival Resource Key: ark:/67531/metadc78305
Degree
- Academic Department: Sociology
Note
- Display Note: Abstract: This study investigates how leaders of civic groups make decisions about using new and social media versus older forms of media. Drawing from theory and empirical research on the social effects of new media, we focus on whether new media is used in a way that lowers barriers to ordinary citizens' participation in local politics, or else contributes to a "digital divide" between elite and non-elite civic groups. To explore these issues, we conducted interviews with leaders of eight civic groups involved in the Trinity River Corridor development project in Dallas, Texas. We also interviewed local journalists, and analyzed the eight civic groups' Web sites, social media sites, and blogs, as well as blogs that linked to the groups' sites. We find that new and social media were used mainly by organizations that were not directly involved in major political actions, and that for the two groups most directly involved in political actions, the wealthier and more powerful group was better connected to other organizations that did use new and social media. The findings reveal a sharp digital divide between networks of civic organizations.