{"id":378547,"date":"2026-09-15T09:56:05","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T13:56:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?p=378547"},"modified":"2026-09-22T16:29:46","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T20:29:46","slug":"americans-value-press-freedom-but-differ-on-its-limits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2026\/09\/15\/americans-value-press-freedom-but-differ-on-its-limits\/","title":{"rendered":"Americans Value Press Freedom but Differ on Its Limits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many Americans say some restrictions are OK when weighed against concerns about false information or national security<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Photos,
Photos, left to right: Bet_Noire and Hisham Ibrahim via Getty Images. Photo illustration by Pew Research Center.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Pew Knight Initiative<\/summary>\n
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The Pew-Knight Initiative supports new research on how Americans absorb civic information, form beliefs and identities, and engage in their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan, nonadvocacy fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. Knight Foundation is a social investor committed to supporting informed and engaged communities. Learn more ><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

About this research<\/summary>\n

This report from the Pew-Knight Initiative<\/a> looks at how Americans think about freedom of the press, as well as the related First Amendment concept of freedom of speech, in the United States today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why we did this<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Pew Research Center has asked about press freedom and free speech both domestically and globally for the past decade. The topic has become especially relevant amid the changing media environment<\/a> and the evolving concept of \u201cthe press\u201d<\/a>; the growing role of technology companies as gatekeepers<\/a> to news and information; and President Donald Trump\u2019s tense relationship with the news media<\/a>, which has led some groups and individuals to raise concerns about whether press freedom is being restricted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a good time to take a fresh look at Americans\u2019 views on press freedom in the U.S. \u2013 how they define it, what they think about its status and how they weigh it against other ongoing challenges in the news environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about Pew Research Center<\/a> and our research on news habits and media<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How we did this<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We surveyed 3,507 U.S. adults from March 23 to 29, 2026, and 3,488 U.S. adults from June 22 to 28, 2026. Everyone who took part in these surveys is a member of the Center\u2019s American Trends Panel<\/a>. The surveys represent the views of the full U.S. adult population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also conducted 10 online focus group discussions led by SSRS with 74 U.S. adults, held from May 20 to June 4, 2026. These discussions do not represent the entire U.S. population. This report shares findings and quotes from the focus groups to help illustrate and add detail to the survey results. Quotes were lightly edited for spelling, punctuation and clarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the survey questions used for this report<\/a>, the detailed responses<\/a> and the methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a Pew Research Center report from the Pew-Knight Initiative, a research program funded jointly by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Find related reports online at https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/pew-knight\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Most Americans see freedom of the press \u2013 protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution \u2013 as important to society. But their support for press freedom is far from absolute,<\/strong> according to a new Pew Research Center study from the Pew-Knight Initiative<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Most Americans see press freedom as highly important to society \u2026<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
% of U.S. adults who say the freedom of the press is __ important to the well-being of society<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n
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\u2026 but many also support limits to it in some cases<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
% of U.S. adults who say it is more important<\/strong> \u2026<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Note: Respondents who did not answer are not shown.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults conducted June 22-28, 2026.\n\u201cAmericans Value Press Freedom but Differ on Its Limits\u201d<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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