News Broadcasting
Internet access at work & home increases: study
MUMBAI: The number of adults who are online at home, in the office, at school, library or other locations continues to grow at a steady rate.
In the past year, the number of online users has reached an estimated 172 million, a five per cent increase, according to the latest Harris Poll.
In research among 2,032 US adults surveyed by telephone in February and April 2006, Harris Interactive found that 77 per cent of adults are now online, up from 74 per cent in February/April 2005, 66 per cent in the spring of 2002, 64 per cent in 2001 and 57 per cent in spring of 2000.
When Harris Interactive first began to track Internet use in 1995, only nine per cent of adults reported they went online.
Internet access increases at home and at work
The proportion of adults who are now online at home has risen to 70 per cent, up from 66 per cent in 2005 and 55 per cent in the spring of 2002
The percentage of those online at work has not really changed (35 per cent now, 36 per cent in 2005) yet is still up from 30 per cent in the spring of 2002. Adults who are online at a location other than their home or work also remains steady at 22 per cent (21 per cent in 2005, 19 per cent in the spring of 2002)
The demographic profile of Internet users in the United States looks like the country as a whole
As Internet penetration rises, the demographic profile of Internet users continues to look more like that of the nation as a whole. The study indicates that that more young than older people, and more affluent than low-income people, are online.
However, eight percent of those online are now age 65 or over (compared to 16 per cent of all adults who are 65 or over), 39 per cent of those online (compared to 47 per cent of all adults) did not go to college and 14 per cent have incomes of less than $25,000 (compared to 19 per cent of all adults).
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
