Originally published by Michael Cross on KOSU
December 5, 2012
A new study on Oklahoma’s civic health shows the state’s citizens lacking when it comes to political involvement. According to the University of Central Oklahoma Civic Health Index, our state ranks 30th in discussing politics and 47th in voter turnout. Kristen Cambell with the National Conference on Citizenship says part of the problem is citizens not calling on their local commercial TV stations to focus more on civic issues and less on fires, stabbings and car chases. “Ask for more stories on things like civic involvement, ask for more community interest pieces and stop watching some of the stuff that gets the really high if it bleeds it leads ratings.” One interesting finding in the study is Oklahoma ranks 15th in the nation for expressing political or community opinions on the Internet. On the plus side, the study finds Oklahoma ranks 20th in the nation for volunteerism.