A major insight into human behavior from pre-internet era studies of communication is the tendency of people not to speak up about policy issues in public—or among their family, friends, and work colleagues—when they believe their own point of view is not widely shared. This tendency is called the “spiral […] Read more »
Global Opposition to U.S. Surveillance and Drones, but Limited Harm to America’s Image
Revelations about the scope of American electronic surveillance efforts have generated headlines around the world over the past year. And a new Pew Research Center survey finds widespread global opposition to U.S. eavesdropping and a decline in the view that the U.S. respects the personal freedoms of its people. But […] Read more »
The Web at 25: Net Threats
As Internet experts look to the future of the Web, they have a number of concerns. This is not to say they are pessimistic: The majority of respondents to this 2014 Future of the Internet canvassing say they hope that by 2025 there will not be significant changes for the […] Read more »
More Americans Oppose Edward Snowden’s Actions Than Support Them
More Americans oppose Edward Snowden’s decision to flee the U.S. with thousands of stolen documents and reveal confidential details about the National Security Agency’s surveillance programs than those who support his actions, according to a new NBC News poll. … Yet, the nation’s opinion of the former government contractor turned world’s […] Read more »
BBC poll: Web brings more freedom and more surveillance
A majority of participants in a global BBC poll believe the internet has brought greater freedom, but more than half of those interviewed also think it is not a safe place to express their opinions. Many believe that greater freedom goes hand in hand with increased government surveillance, according to […] Read more »
State of the Union: The Public Weighs In on 10 Key Issues
President Barack Obama recommended a number of actions in his 2014 State of the Union address Tuesday. Some steps he will take using executive orders; others were requests for congressional legislative action. Gallup data reveal how Americans’ views line up with 10 of these issues. CONT. Frank Newport, Jeffrey M. […] Read more »