{"id":378755,"date":"2026-09-15T09:56:05","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T13:56:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?p=378755"},"modified":"2026-09-18T09:50:33","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T13:50:33","slug":"how-much-do-americans-know-about-the-first-amendment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2026\/09\/15\/how-much-do-americans-know-about-the-first-amendment\/","title":{"rendered":"How much do Americans know about the First Amendment?"},"content":{"rendered":"\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

Before reading further:<\/em> Take the quiz<\/a> to see how much you know about the First Amendment and how you compare to U.S. adults.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution<\/a> protects several fundamental rights, including freedom of the press and free speech. To understand what U.S. adults know about the First Amendment \u2013 and press freedom in particular \u2013 we asked eight multiple-choice factual questions about what it does and does not protect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is part of a broader Pew Research Center study from the Pew-Knight Initiative<\/a> exploring U.S. adults\u2019 views of press freedom today. Read key findings from the full study<\/a>, which included two surveys of U.S. adults and a series of 10 focus groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About half of U.S. adults (51%) correctly identified that the First Amendment guarantees freedom of the press.<\/strong> Roughly a quarter (26%) incorrectly said it protects \u201cthe right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness\u201d \u2013 a phrase from the Declaration of Independence \u2013 and 9% chose the right to bear arms, which is protected by the Second Amendment.<\/p>\n\n\n

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About half of Americans correctly answer that the First Amendment guarantees freedom of the press<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Note: Correct answers are highlighted and in bold. \u201cNot sure\u201d appeared at the bottom of each option set. All questions were multiple choice. For full question wording, refer to the topline<\/a>. 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 March 23-29, 2026.
\n\u201cAmericans Value Press Freedom but Differ on Its Limits\u201d<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Share this chart<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t