A survey by the Pew Research Center asked members of the public what they felt about potential responses and interventions to online mis-information. When asked to choose between the government taking action to restrict false news online (in ways that could also limit information freedoms) or protecting those freedoms even if it means false information might be published, Americans fall firmly on the side of protecting freedom.
Key findings
Responses to government intervention
- 58% of respondents say they prefer to protect the public’s freedom to access and publish information online, including on social media, even if it means false information can also be published.
- 39% would prefer government action to restrict false information, even if it limits those freedoms
The resistance to government action cuts across nearly all demographic groups studied, with strong sentiments among young Americans, the college educated and men, as well as both Democrats and Republicans.
Responses to tech company intervention
- 56% favour technology companies taking steps to restrict false information, even if it limits the public’s freedom to access and publish information
- 42% prefer to protect those freedoms rather than have tech companies take action, even if it means the presence of some misinformation online
Most demographic groups express more support for action by tech companies than by government. Yet the degree of support for such action varies. Democrats express more support for technology companies acting than do Republicans.
About half or more of adults in each age group studied prefer the freedom to publish and access information online above government intervention. 64% of adults with some college education prefer to accept the presence of false information online as long as the public’s freedom to access and publish information remains intact. Adults with no college education, however, are about equally divided between those who support government restrictions (50%) and those who support free access (44%).
You can read more about the research and methodology here