"This poll seems to show one way how Donald Trump's norm breaking is trickling down and shaping the opinions of rank-and-file Republicans," said Will Jordan of the Global Strategy Group. (Photo: Majunznk/Flickr/cc)
Aug 01, 2017
As the Trump administration continues to make headlines for its attacks on the press and its attempts to prevent journalists from adequately covering White House press briefings, a recent YouGov/Economist poll (pdf) found that 45 percent of Republicans support giving courts the power to shut down "biased" media outlets--a result commentators argued should be "scary for anyone concerned about the future of American democracy."
"This poll seems to show one way how Donald Trump's norm breaking is trickling down and shaping the opinions of rank-and-file Republican."
--Will Jordan, Global Strategy Group
During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump repeatedly pilloried specific journalists and the news media more broadly; at one point he suggested that the First Amendment gives the press "too much freedom." He has also continued to label the press "the enemy of the American people."
It appears that his view of the media is shared by many rank-and-file members of his party.
To the question "do you favor or oppose permitting the courts to shut down news media outlets for publishing or broadcasting stories that are biased or inaccurate?" 45 percent of Republican respondents said they would support giving courts such powers. A mere 20 percent of Republicans said they oppose the idea.
The poll also found:
- 55 percent of Republicans support allowing courts to fine media outlets for publishing stories that are deemed "biased" or "inaccurate."
- By contrast, only 12 percent of Republicans oppose giving courts the power to fine media outlets for "bias."
- 71 percent of Republicans trust Trump more than the Washington Post and the New York Times.
Analysts argued that these results clearly indicate that Trump's hatred of the media is moving more Republicans to view freedom of the press as an obstacle to be overcome, rather than as a necessity.
"There's a lot of evidence to suggest that on a wide range of issues, an individual's party identification tends to drive attitudes rather than the other way around," Will Jordan, a poll analyst at the Global Strategy Group public affairs firm, toldVox. "This poll seems to show one way how Donald Trump's norm breaking is trickling down and shaping the opinions of rank-and-file Republican."
"This data certainly suggests that Trump is eroding conservatives' support for the First Amendment," concluded Eric Levitz of New York Magazine, "even as some of his most fervent supporters cast themselves as champions of 'free speech.'"
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
As the Trump administration continues to make headlines for its attacks on the press and its attempts to prevent journalists from adequately covering White House press briefings, a recent YouGov/Economist poll (pdf) found that 45 percent of Republicans support giving courts the power to shut down "biased" media outlets--a result commentators argued should be "scary for anyone concerned about the future of American democracy."
"This poll seems to show one way how Donald Trump's norm breaking is trickling down and shaping the opinions of rank-and-file Republican."
--Will Jordan, Global Strategy Group
During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump repeatedly pilloried specific journalists and the news media more broadly; at one point he suggested that the First Amendment gives the press "too much freedom." He has also continued to label the press "the enemy of the American people."
It appears that his view of the media is shared by many rank-and-file members of his party.
To the question "do you favor or oppose permitting the courts to shut down news media outlets for publishing or broadcasting stories that are biased or inaccurate?" 45 percent of Republican respondents said they would support giving courts such powers. A mere 20 percent of Republicans said they oppose the idea.
The poll also found:
- 55 percent of Republicans support allowing courts to fine media outlets for publishing stories that are deemed "biased" or "inaccurate."
- By contrast, only 12 percent of Republicans oppose giving courts the power to fine media outlets for "bias."
- 71 percent of Republicans trust Trump more than the Washington Post and the New York Times.
Analysts argued that these results clearly indicate that Trump's hatred of the media is moving more Republicans to view freedom of the press as an obstacle to be overcome, rather than as a necessity.
"There's a lot of evidence to suggest that on a wide range of issues, an individual's party identification tends to drive attitudes rather than the other way around," Will Jordan, a poll analyst at the Global Strategy Group public affairs firm, toldVox. "This poll seems to show one way how Donald Trump's norm breaking is trickling down and shaping the opinions of rank-and-file Republican."
"This data certainly suggests that Trump is eroding conservatives' support for the First Amendment," concluded Eric Levitz of New York Magazine, "even as some of his most fervent supporters cast themselves as champions of 'free speech.'"
As the Trump administration continues to make headlines for its attacks on the press and its attempts to prevent journalists from adequately covering White House press briefings, a recent YouGov/Economist poll (pdf) found that 45 percent of Republicans support giving courts the power to shut down "biased" media outlets--a result commentators argued should be "scary for anyone concerned about the future of American democracy."
"This poll seems to show one way how Donald Trump's norm breaking is trickling down and shaping the opinions of rank-and-file Republican."
--Will Jordan, Global Strategy Group
During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump repeatedly pilloried specific journalists and the news media more broadly; at one point he suggested that the First Amendment gives the press "too much freedom." He has also continued to label the press "the enemy of the American people."
It appears that his view of the media is shared by many rank-and-file members of his party.
To the question "do you favor or oppose permitting the courts to shut down news media outlets for publishing or broadcasting stories that are biased or inaccurate?" 45 percent of Republican respondents said they would support giving courts such powers. A mere 20 percent of Republicans said they oppose the idea.
The poll also found:
- 55 percent of Republicans support allowing courts to fine media outlets for publishing stories that are deemed "biased" or "inaccurate."
- By contrast, only 12 percent of Republicans oppose giving courts the power to fine media outlets for "bias."
- 71 percent of Republicans trust Trump more than the Washington Post and the New York Times.
Analysts argued that these results clearly indicate that Trump's hatred of the media is moving more Republicans to view freedom of the press as an obstacle to be overcome, rather than as a necessity.
"There's a lot of evidence to suggest that on a wide range of issues, an individual's party identification tends to drive attitudes rather than the other way around," Will Jordan, a poll analyst at the Global Strategy Group public affairs firm, toldVox. "This poll seems to show one way how Donald Trump's norm breaking is trickling down and shaping the opinions of rank-and-file Republican."
"This data certainly suggests that Trump is eroding conservatives' support for the First Amendment," concluded Eric Levitz of New York Magazine, "even as some of his most fervent supporters cast themselves as champions of 'free speech.'"
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.