Download: [EPS - 875Kb] [JPG 200dpi - 317Kb]

Personal contact provides the most important informationUsing an average across the different tactics across types of communication, digital communications is clearly ranked less important than other forms of communication on legislative issues. One may speculate that other forms of communication may provide information that is more targeted (i.e. focused on specific legislative dossiers) or more personal (i.e. comes from a known individual or group) than information found on blogs or stakeholder websites. Information found on stakeholder websites and blogs may be policy relevant but in the sense that it provides background information.

However, an increase in online engagement by MEPs in their communication with voters may well lead to an increase in the perceived importance of online information sources in legislative work.