NAA Foundation study shows link between newspaper use during youth and civic engagement in later life

More newspaper influences impact future civic expression, voting and volunteering

Arlington, Va. – Young people who used newspapers in school and read newspaper content aimed at teens are more likely to volunteer, vote and engage in civic expression as adults, according to a study of more than 1,500 25- to 34-year-olds released today by the Newspaper Association of America Foundation.

“This research provides further evidence that encouraging young people to read newspapers has a positive influence in later life,” said Margaret Vassilikos, senior vice president of the NAA Foundation. “The data show civic engagement is more prevalent among those who read youth content and whose schools used newspapers as part of the curriculum, a testament to the role young reader programs play in helping transform young readers into civically minded, engaged adults.”

The study, “Lifelong Readers: Driving Civic Engagement,” shows a clear additive effect when comparing newspaper use in young people with adult civic engagement. As the number of newspaper influences in a young person’s life increases, the likelihood of future civic expression, voting activities and volunteer work rises dramatically.

Research Findings

The study focused on three main areas: voting activity, civic expression and volunteering time and money.

Newspaper use as voting indicators

According to the study, respondents who remembered having three newspaper influences when they were younger – newspapers in the classroom, as homework assignments and exposure to teen content – were significantly more likely to engage in voting activity than those who had no exposure to newspapers. Of the 25- to 34-year-olds who said they used newspapers growing up:

* 61 percent voted in the 2006 local election, compared with 44 percent who voted but said they had no exposure to newspapers during youth.

* 27 percent were engaged in the 2006 local election, saying they tried to convince others to vote for or against a particular political party, wore a campaign button, or placed a sign during the 2006 election (vs. 19 percent of those with no newspaper exposure).

* 24 percent said they donated money to a candidate or an organization supporting a candidate (compared with 13 percent of those who donated but had no newspaper influence).

* 72 percent voted in the 2004 presidential election, (compared with 58 percent who voted but had no newspaper influence).

Civic Expression

Along the same track, respondents who remembered having three newspaper influences when they were younger (newspapers in the classroom, as homework and teen section exposure) were significantly more likely to have expressed opinions on matters of public interest within the last year than those who had no such interactions. Of those who used newspapers:

* 56 percent said they boycotted a certain company because they disagreed with its political or social values (compared with 40 percent who had no newspaper influence).

* 21 percent contacted or visited a public official to express their opinion (compared with 11 percent).

* 18 percent called a radio or TV talk show to express their opinion on a political or social issue (compared with 5 percent).

Volunteering Time and Money

Adults with exposure to newspapers also were significantly more likely to have volunteered time and money in the last year than those who had no such exposure to newspapers. Of those who read teen content and use newspapers in the classroom and for homework assignments:

* 62 percent volunteered or did community service for organizations such as those supporting school or youth activities, tutoring, community improvement, political groups and others (vs. 37 percent).

* 74 percent donated money to a civic group or association (vs. 51 percent of those with no newspaper experience).

* 35 percent had helped raise money for a charity cause, besides donating money (vs. 19 percent).

* 31 percent had been an active member of a community or national voluntary group (vs. 17 percent).

About the study

MORI Research interviewed 1,506 young adults in the U.S. by telephone from May 15 to June 3, 2007. Respondents’ telephone numbers were selected using a standard random-digit dialing sample, and the data set was statistically adjusted to match updated U.S. Census estimates for gender within age categories, education, race and census region. The survey sample included 51 percent men and 49 percent women. The age groups 25 to 29 and 30 to 34 were equally represented.

The 2007 study is part of a continuing initiative aimed at helping newspapers attract and keep young readers. In 2006 a related study http://www.naafoundation.org/pdf/Foundation/lifelongreaders.pdf conducted for the NAA Foundation by MORI Research provided the first solid evidence that newspaper content for teens has the ability to attract young people to the printed word and keep them as newspaper readers as they age.

What others are saying about newspapers and civic engagement

Veteran journalist John Seigenthaler wrote an opinion piece commemorating Constitution Day. In his column, Seigenthaler writes

“This anniversary of Constitution Day should remind us that there are challenges to keep the faith of the founders. There are no quick fixes. But neither is the society without viable institutions or visible tools to begin to bring about change. One valuable tool for both educators and journalists is the newspaper, made available in the classroom. It can engage students in an interest in the politics and government of their communities, their country and their world. Daily exposure to news in classroom settings can help kill apathy. It can help cure ignorance about civic affairs. It can help turn young students into informed, aware, involved adults. It can help give meaning to the Constitution and Bill of Rights we celebrate.”

Justice Sandra Day O’Connor (of www.ourcourts.org):

“Recent research suggests that newspapers play an important role in helping all readers — young and older - become active and informed citizens. Young readers first learn about their community and about public issues through such reading. We learn about elections, candidates, and public issues from newspapers in more depth than from other media. Along with a sound education in civics and government, newspapers are an essential resource in guiding the younger generation to fulfill their civic responsibilities.”

Foundation to launch YouTube contest

To coincide with the release of the study,, the NAA Foundation is launching a contest to encourage young people to relate how they use newspapers in their daily lives. Creative video messages will be featured on the Foundation’s Web site, and the person who submits the most creative video will receive a new I-Phone and a trip for two to the NAA Annual Convention in Washington, D.C. in spring 2008. Please click here <http://www.naa.org/foundation> for further details.

Note to newspapers: Newspaper Web sites are encouraged to post the contest videos on their site or link to the NAA Foundation site to encourage participation from their communities. Contact Jeff Sigmund for more information.

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