Exploring Linkages Between Perceptions of Freedom and Internet Use Globally

Exploring Linkages Between Perceptions of Freedom and Internet Use Globally

Abstract: Different methods exist for measuring Internet access and use around the world. A widely used source of estimates of Internet penetration is the ITU, the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies. ITU gathers its data from a variety of sources, including commercial companies and government ministries This paper compares data gathered by the Gallup World Poll against the ITU data to get a sense of the comparability of these two types of data sources. The two sources produce roughly comparable results for the relative standing of countries, but the levels reported in the two sources are different. The researchers conclude that the World Poll data are better because they provide more information about the quality of the data.

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