America’s free speech frustration has pivoted from tech companies to media publishers, according to this year’s Axios Harris Poll 100.
Why it matters: It’s a sign of growing hostility toward publishers, with little recourse for people who think they don’t do enough to guard against bias or misinformation.
Details: A majority of Americans (57%) say publishers are responsible for content that goes against their personal values, not platforms.
- Only 43% said platforms were more responsible.
- While most Americans (58%) say technology companies are promoting free speech rather than hurting it, a major political divide persists.
- An overwhelming majority of Democrats (72%) say tech companies promote free speech vs. only (41%) of Republicans.
Between the lines: In the wake of the 2020 election, skepticism of mainstream media has intensified on the right, while frustration with coverage from Fox News has intensified on the left.
https://www.axios.com/2022/05/24/free-speech-big-media-axios-harris-poll-100