Pew Forum’s Religion & Politics ’08 Earns Two Webby Nods

Washington, D.C.—Religion & Politics ’08 named one of five finalists for Best Politics Website of 2008 and honored in the Religion and Spirituality category.

The Webby Awards have named the Pew Forum’s Religion & Politics ’08 one of five finalists for Best Politics Website of 2008. Religion & Politics ’08 was also named an official honoree in the Religion and Spirituality category.

Described as “the Oscars of the Internet” by The New York Times, the Webby Awards honor online excellence. This year’s contest received nearly 10,000 entries, from all 50 states and 60 countries.

Launched in April 2007 as a new section of pewresearch.org/religion – the website of the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life – Religion & Politics ’08 is an online resource that features religious biographies, survey findings and must-read articles on all the major presidential candidates. A unique feature allows users to compare summaries of the candidates’ positions on a dozen values-laden issues, such as abortion, gay marriage and the Iraq war. Q&A discussions between Associate Director Mark O’Keefe and Senior Fellow John Green address topics such as “Courting Catholics in 2008” and “Does McCain Need Evangelical Voters?”

Religion & Politics ’08 was built with assistance from Q-Industries, an interactive agency based in Washington, and NetCampaign, an Internet development and consulting firm, also based in Washington.

“This Webby nomination confirms the hunger for timely, impartial and accessible information on the important role of religion in this presidential campaign,” said Pew Forum Director Luis Lugo. “As the campaign continues to unfold, we plan to release new features and research findings that shed light on the nexus of religion and politics.”

Members of The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences will choose Webby Award winners among nominees in each category. Winners will be announced on May 6 and honored at a gala in New York City on June 10.

Nominees are also eligible to win the People’s Voice Awards, which will be determined by online public voting in each category. Cast your vote here!

About the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life

The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life delivers timely, impartial information on issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs. The Forum is a nonpartisan, non-advocacy organization and does not take positions on policy debates. Based in Washington, D.C., the Forum is a project of the Pew Research Center, which is funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts.

About The Webby Awards

Hailed as the “Oscars of the Internet” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including websites, interactive advertising, online film and video, and mobile web sites. The Webby Awards is presented by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.