Speech
Note: survey results from data collected in 2020.
Support for free speech — the best-known of the five First Amendment freedoms — faces increasingly complex and urgent tests. Many revolve around hostile or hateful expression and if or how it should be moderated.
More than three-quarters (78%) of Americans can name speech as a First Amendment freedom unprompted. Almost all (93%) can identify it from a list. When asked which of the five freedoms of the First Amendment they consider most essential, 33% named freedom of speech. All five are equally essential, said 41%.
Hate Speech: Prevent or Preserve?
Most Americans (57%) know that the First Amendment protects hate speech, but they are divided on whether it should:
- More than a third (36%) say preventing hate speech is more important than preserving free speech; 35% would prioritize free speech, and 28% were neutral.
- When asked about hate speech, 39% of respondents said people should be able to say what they really think, while 24% say hate speech should be outlawed. Thirty-seven percent didn’t lean strongly either way.
![Speech-Share-Infographic Afraid to share](https://www.freedomforum.org/content/uploads/2023/12/Speech-Share-Infographic.png)
Sign of the divisive times?
More than four in 10 people (45%) say they have, at least once, not expressed an opinion for fear of punishment. Nearly half (49%) have never shared a political opinion on social media. Younger Americans are more likely to say they have self-censored. As for political correctness, 58% of people believe it goes too far in hampering free speech.
Campus Controversy
Most people (59%) think college campuses should foster a free expression of ideas, even if those ideas are offensive to some. But 36% of people think colleges and universities represent a threat to the First Amendment, perhaps a reflection of efforts by students, administrators and even lawmakers to curtail speech that represents controversial perspectives.
![Speech-Campus-Controversy Speech-Campus-Controversy](https://www.freedomforum.org/content/uploads/2023/12/Speech-Campus-Controversy.png)
You don’t say…
The First Amendment protects not only verbal speech, but many other types of expression:
![Speech-Flag-Burning-Infographic-v2 53% know the first amendment protects flag burning](https://www.freedomforum.org/content/uploads/2023/12/Speech-Flag-Burning-Infographic-v2.png)
Just over half (53%) of Americans know the First Amendment protects flag burning. Even more (69%) say to do so is wrong.
![Speech-Pro-Athletes-Infographic-v2 48% agree professional athletes should stand for the anthem](https://www.freedomforum.org/content/uploads/2023/12/Speech-Pro-Athletes-Infographic-v2.png)
Nearly half (48%) say professional athletes should stand for the national anthem. Only 34% correctly said professional athletes can be fired based on their political activity, because they work for private, not government, employers.
![Speech-Celebrities-Infographic-v2 1 out of 3 agree celebrities can be cancelled](https://www.freedomforum.org/content/uploads/2023/12/Speech-Celebrities-Infographic-v2.png)
Just over a third (37%) say there’s nothing wrong with celebrities or others with strong opinions getting boycotted or “cancelled” for making controversial comments online or in public. Nearly three in 10 weren’t sure.
![Speech-Comedy-Infographic-v2 65% say comedy should be protected](https://www.freedomforum.org/content/uploads/2023/12/Speech-Comedy-Infographic-v2.png)
Support for humor is broad, with 65% of people agreeing that even boundary-pushing comedy should be protected speech.
Agree or Disagree?
“Preventing hate speech is more important than preserving free speech”
Most Americans (57%) know that the First Amendment protects hate speech, but they are divided on whether it should: More than a third (36%) say preventing hate speech is more important than preserving free speech. Thirty-five percent would prioritize free speech. Twenty-eight percent were neutral.
“Cancel culture is acceptable”
Just over a third (37%) of respondents say there’s nothing wrong with celebrities or others with strong opinions getting boycotted or “cancelled” for making controversial comments online or in public. Nearly three in ten weren’t sure.