96% Say Free Speech is Important; 81% Say Diversity is Important

Ninety-six percent (96%) of voters say free speech is important. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 81% say the same about diversity and 75% see inclusiveness as important.

Those totals include 80% who say free speech is Very Important; 49% who say diversity is Very Important; and, 40% who see inclusiveness as Very Important.

Data released earlier showed that 79% of voters believe that free speech protects minority rights. Also, 64% believe no one is empowered more by free speech than the historically marginalized and dispossessed.

Just 22% think that those who support free speech are enemies of diversity. Sixty-nine percent (69%) reject that view.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Question:

How important are each of the following:

Free speech:

80%    Very important

16%    Somewhat important

1%   Not very important 

1%   Not at all important

2%    Not sure

Inclusiveness:

40%    Very important

35%    Somewhat important

12%   Not very important 

3%   Not at all important

9%    Not sure

Diversity:

49%    Very important

32%    Somewhat important

11%   Not very important 

4%   Not at all important

4%    Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on October 28-30, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

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79% Recognize That Free Speech Protects Minority Rights

Seventy-nine percent (79%) of voters believe that free speech protects minority rights. A Scott Rasmussen national survey also showed that 64% believe no one is empowered more by free speech than the historically marginalized and dispossessed.

Just 22% think that those who support free speech are enemies of diversity. Sixty-nine percent (69%) reject that view.

Frederick Douglass called free speech “the great moral renovator of society and government.” Seventy-six percent (76%) of voters agree.

Douglass, born into slavery became one of the nation’s greatest orators. On the eve of the Civil War, he gave a speech observing  that free speech “is the dread of tyrants.  It is the right which they first of all strike down.  They know its power.  Thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers, founded in injustice and wrong, are sure to tremble, if men are allowed to reason of righteousness, temperance, and of a judgment to come in their presence.”

As it applied to the dominant issue of his day, Douglass said “Slavery cannot tolerate free speech.  Five years of its exercise would banish the auction block and break every chain in the South.”

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Question:

Do you agree or disagree with the following statements:

No one is empowered more by free speech than the historically marginalized and dispossessed

28%    Strongly agree

36%    Somewhat agree

13%    Somewhat disagree

5%    Strongly disagree

19%    Not sure

People who support free speech are enemies of diversity

12%    Strongly agree

10%    Somewhat agree

22%    Somewhat disagree

47%    Strongly disagree

8%    Not sure

Free speech is the great moral renovator of society and government

38%    Strongly agree

38%    Somewhat agree

9%    Somewhat disagree

2%    Strongly disagree

13%    Not sure

Free speech protects minority rights

43%    Strongly agree

36%    Somewhat agree

7%    Somewhat disagree

3%    Strongly disagree

11%    Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on October 28-30, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

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64% Believe Free Speech Empowers Black Americans and Other Minorities

Sixty-four percent (64%) of voters believe free speech empowers Black Americans and other minorities. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 12% believe it oppresses minorities while 24% are not sure.

The idea that free speech empowers minority voices is shared by 65% of White voters, 61% of Hispanic voters, and 60% of Black voters.

However, just 46% recognize that free speech is a serious threat to ruling elites and powerful institutions.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Question 1:

Generally speaking, does free speech empower Black Americans and other minorities? Or does it work to oppress them?

64%    Empower

12%    Oppress

24%    Not sure

Question 2:

Is there a conflict between free speech and inclusiveness?

37%    Yes

35%    No

28%    Not sure

Question 3:

Okay… Is there a conflict between free speech and diversity?

35%    Yes

45%    No

20%    Not sure

Question 4:

Is free speech a serious threat to ruling elites and powerful institutions?

46%    Yes

33%    No

21%    Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on October 28-30, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

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63% Believe Big Tech Companies Should Be Required to Abide By 1st Amendment

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act gives big tech companies special immunity from prosecution for things posted on their platforms. Since they received this immunity from the government, 63% of voters believe they should they be required to abide by the 1st Amendment guarantee of free speech.

A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 13% disagree and 23% are not sure.

Seventy-five percent (75%) of Republicans believe the tech companies should be bound by the 1st Amendment. So do 57% of Democrats and 52% of Independents.

Among those who say social media is Very Important in their life, 75% want to see the tech giants required to provide free speech guarantees.

The survey also found that 61% of voters believe social media companies have an obligation to make positive contributions to our civic life.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The online survey of 1,000 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen on June 24-27, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc.   Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

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80% Say Allowing Offensive, Inaccurate Free Speech Better Than Giving Government Power to Decide

Given a choice between allowing free speech even though it is sometimes offensive and inaccurate or having the government determine what speech should be allowed, 80% of voters prefer free speech. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that just 9% think it would be better to let the government decide.

The free speech option is supported by at least 70% of every measured demographic group.

An earlier survey found that 49% were more worried about restricting free speech than the spread of fake news and misinformation. Thirty-eight percent (38%) took the opposite view.

Hesitation about granting government the power to determine what speech is allowed is deeply ingrained in American culture. One reason for this may be that 59% continue to see the federal government as a special interest group. Additionally, just 34% believe the federal government today supports the founding ideals of Freedom, Equality, and Self-governance.

Over the past year, many media outlets dismissed suggestions that the coronavirus began in a Wuhan, China laboratory. Some social media outlets even blocked discussion of it. Despite those efforts 66% of voters think it’s likely the virus came from a lab leak. That possibility is now being explored by the federal government.

The desire to keep government officials out of key decision making positions was highlighted by the fact that 62% Believe wanted restaurant owners to decide whether a vaccine passport is needed at their business. Just 26% wanted the government to decide.

Other recent finding show that just 25% are okay with Christians imposing their views on society. Just 19% think atheists should be allowed to impose their own views. And 65% believe America is still the Land of Opportunity.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from June 3-5, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 237 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

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49% Believe Restricting Free Speech Worse Than Spreading Fake News, 38% Disagree

Forty-nine percent (49%) of voters worry more about giving the federal government power to restrict free speech than about the dangers of spreading fake news and disinformation. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 38% disagree and worry more about fake news.  Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure.

The survey results highlight significant partisan and ideological differences. Republicans, by a 60% to 34% margin, are more worried about giving the federal government power to restrict free speech and determine which news is appropriate to publish. Independent voters, by a 46% to 33% margin, tend to share that view. Democrats, however, are divided on the question. A narrow plurality (46%) worry more about fake news while 41% are more concerned about restricting free speech.

Ideologically, most conservatives are more worried about restricting free speech. Moderate and Somewhat Liberal voters are divided, but narrowly express a greater concern about restricting free speech. Very Liberal voters take the opposite view. By a 49% to 39% margin, those voters worry more about the spread of fake news and disinformation.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from February 4-6, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 197 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

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57% Say Protecting Free Speech More Important Than Preventing Spread of Misinformation

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of voters nationwide believe that protecting free speech so that all voices and opinions can be heard is more important than limiting free speech to prevent the spread of misinformation. A Political IQ survey conducted by Scott Rasmussen found that 31% take the opposite view and believe preventing the spread of misinformation is more important. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure.

A majority of every measured demographic group but one sees protecting free speech as more important. The sole exception is government employees who are fairly evenly divided. Fifty percent (50%) of those on the public payroll say preventing the spread of misinformation is more important while 44% say protecting free speech is the higher priority.

by a 59% to 30% margin, private sector workers believe protecting free speech is more important. Among retirees, 59% see free speech as more important while 34% take the opposite view.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen from November 27-28, 2020. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Respondents were contacted online or via text. They were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

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