FYI, *Social Media and the ‘Spiral of Silence’* http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/08/26/social-media-and-the-spiral-of-silence/?utm_source=Pew+Internet+Newsletter&utm_campaign=26ae0dc2f6-Spiral_Silence_082614&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_79a7fe984b-26ae0dc2f6-399112421 An interesting report by Pew Research We set out to study this by conducting a survey of 1,801 adults.2 <http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/08/26/social-media-and-the-spiral-of-silence/?utm_source=Pew+Internet+Newsletter&utm_campaign=26ae0dc2f6-Spiral_Silence_082614&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_79a7fe984b-26ae0dc2f6-399112421#fn-11806-2> It focused on one important public issue: Edward Snowden’s 2013 revelations of widespread government surveillance of Americans’ phone and email records. We selected this issue because other surveys by the Pew Research Center at the time we were fielding this poll showed that Americans were divided <http://www.people-press.org/2013/06/17/public-split-over-impact-of-nsa-leak-but-most-want-snowden-prosecuted/> over whether the NSA contractor’s leaks about surveillance were justified and whether the surveillance policy itself was a good or bad idea. <http://www.people-press.org/2014/01/20/obamas-nsa-speech-has-little-impact-on-skeptical-public/> For instance, Pew Research found in one survey that 44% say the release of classified information harms the public interest while 49% said it serves the public interest. An informed citizenry depends on people’s exposure to information on important political issues and on their willingness to discuss these issues with those around them. The rise of social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, has introduced new spaces where political discussion and debate can take place. This report explores the degree to which social media affects a long-established human attribute—that those who think they hold minority opinions often self-censor, failing to speak out for fear of ostracism or ridicule. It is called the “spiral of silence.” Regards Gideon Rop DotConnectAfrica