Annenberg Public Policy Center

18- to 29-year-olds more likely to be liberal and less likely to follow presidential campaign very closely, Annenberg survey shows

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Young adults 18 to 29 years of age are more likely to describe themselves as liberal in comparison to other age groups, according to recent data collected by the Annenberg Public Policy Center’s National Annenberg Election Survey. Thirty-four percent of 18- to 29-year-olds called themselves “liberal” or “very liberal,” while only 27 percent of 30- to 44-year-olds, 25 percent of 45- to 64-year-olds, and 18 percent of those 65 years and older described themselves the same way.

The youngest cohort of potential voters is also less likely to describe itself as following the 2008 presidential campaign “very closely” in comparison to older cohorts. While 24 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds said that they are following the campaign very closely, 33 percent of 30- to 44-year-olds, 44 percent of 45- to 64-year-olds, and 48 percent of those 65 years and older stated that they are following the campaign very closely.

C-SPAN airs APPC-sponsored focus group interview of Pennsylvania voters

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

On Monday, C-SPAN aired an APPC-sponsored voter focus group conducted June 24 by Peter Hart in York, PA, among a group of 12 voters, none of whom supported either Sen. Obama or McCain in the PA primary. The group’s discussion provides insight into the thoughts and feelings these voters have toward the presumptive nominees, the media and the state of the nation.

Clarion Award for Justice Talking

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Justice Talking has received a Clarion Award from the Association for Women in Communications. The national award recognizes excellence in communication. Justice Talking won in the Radio-Women’s Issues category for a program on the Women’s Equality Amendment.

New $30-million Annenberg scholarship program to aid artists, students and schools

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Artists on the cusp of national renown, college-bound students who have overcome tremendous obstacles and impoverished elementary schools will be the recipients of $30 million in scholarships and grants, part of a new three-pronged philanthropic initiative by Leonore Annenberg.

The awards, to be spread over 10 years, were announced today in Philadelphia, the residence for many years of Mrs. Annenberg and her late husband, Ambassador Walter H. Annenberg. The award program will be administered by the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania.

How a Bill Becomes a Federal Law wins Videographer Award

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

How a Bill Becomes a Federal Law, produced by the Documentary Group of New York City for the Leonore Annenberg Institute for Civics, has won a Videographer Award of Excellence.

The video, produced for use in schools as part of Annenberg Classroom, describes the processes by which an idea is transformed into legislation and eventually the law of the land. The video features U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions (R., Texas), U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.), high school students from Texas and California, as well as footage from Congressional committee hearings and archival materials.

Philadelphia Student Voices 2008 Civics Fair Winners Announced

Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Students representing nearly a dozen schools from across the School District of Philadelphia gathered at the University of Pennsylvania’s Hall of Flags Tuesday to present civics projects on topics ranging from global warming to the gun violence plaguing the city. The projects were the culmination of work the high school seniors had done in their social science classes throughout the school year as part of the Student Voices Curriculum.

Public Service Ads Win Bronze Telly Awards

Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

For the second year, public service announcements promoting HIV awareness among young African-Americans have been singled out for honors. The three ads encourage young people in high-risk cities to resist peer pressure to have sex and to consider the impact that a sexually transmitted disease can have on one’s future.

The ads were produced by MEE Productions Inc., of Philadelphia, which last year also won a bronze Telly Award for similar public service announcements.

Student Voices at Philadelphia’s Central High Receives $100,000 Award

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Student Voices program at Philadelphia’s Central High School, led by teachers Stan Levy, William Graham and Michael Horwits, has been recognized with a $100,000 award to further civic engagement among students and communities. Central is one of seven schools nationwide to receive the award. The awards were presented by AARP, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The Central teachers’ “Power of Student Voices” project entry, a culmination of three years of Student Voices programming, included prize-winning Civics Fair entries, last year’s mayoral forum held at the high school (view the forum), and ongoing student civics projects. The award was officially presented to Philadelphia School District Chief of Staff Claudia Averette and Central High Principal Sheldon Pavel at the school on Tuesday, May 6.

Public Sees Different Strengths and Weaknesses in Democratic Contenders

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

After two months of controversies surrounding statements made by Democratic candidates Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Clinton maintains an edge among Democrats on the character traits of experience, strong leadership, patriotism and judgment.

Democrats see Sen. Obama as stronger on the traits “trustworthy” and “saying what he/she believes.” Democrats see no difference between the candidates on the trait “shares my values.” These new findings are being released today by the National Annenberg Election Survey (NAES) of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania.

No Spinning This: FactCheck and FactCheckED Garner Three Webby Awards

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Annenberg Political Fact Check (www.FactCheck.org) and its offspring, FactCheckED (www.FactCheckED.org), have been named winners in the 12^th Annual Webby Awards competition, it was announced today. FactCheck.org was named the best political website by the Webby judges, and also garnered a People’s Voice Webby, which is awarded based on voting by web users worldwide. FactCheckED received a People’s Voice Webby in the education category.

FactCheck.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit "consumer advocate" for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. Both websites are projects of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania.