Title: New digital media use and preferences for government: a survey of Canadians

Authors: Christopher G. Reddick; Patricia A. Jaramillo

Addresses: Department of Public Administration, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 501 W. César E. Chávez Boulevard, San Antonio, Texas 78207, USA ' Department of Public Administration, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 501 W. César E. Chávez Boulevard, San Antonio, Texas 78207, USA

Abstract: This paper examines the use of new digital media, and the preferences for this technology, utilising the 2012 Canadian survey by the Institute of Citizen-Centered Service (ICCS). Specifically, we examine what is currently being used, and the preferences and service expectations for this new digital media technology. The results of this study indicate that citizens are increasingly using new digital media, and they have very high service expectations in regards to timely updates of information and responses from government. The statistical models reveal that new digital media use was shaped by demographic factors, internet use, as well as privacy and security concerns. These results show that governments need to pay more attention to the use and preferences of new digital media, especially given the tight budgets they operate under, and think of strategies to serve the public better through this technology.

Keywords: new digital media; social media; public opinion; e-government; electronic government; citizens; digital media users; user preferences; Canada; service expectations; demographics; internet use; privacy concerns; security concerns.

DOI: 10.1504/EG.2014.063313

Electronic Government, an International Journal, 2014 Vol.11 No.1/2, pp.39 - 58

Received: 13 Aug 2013
Accepted: 12 Feb 2014
Published online: 30 Apr 2015 *

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