About half of Americans correctly answer that the First Amendment guarantees freedom of the press
Note: Correct answers are highlighted and in bold. “Not sure” appeared at the bottom of each option set. All questions were multiple choice. For full question wording, refer to the topline. Respondents who did not answer are not shown.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults conducted March 23-29, 2026.
“Americans Value Press Freedom but Differ on Its Limits”
“Americans Value Press Freedom but Differ on Its Limits”
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
About half of Americans correctly answer that the First Amendment guarantees freedom of the press
| Answer | % answer | % who answer the question correctly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which of the following is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution? | The right to bear arms | 9 | 51 |
| Freedom to own property | 1 | ||
| The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness | 26 | ||
| Freedom of the press (correct answer) | 51 | ||
| Not sure | 12 | ||
| Is it legal or not legal for social media companies to restrict content posted on their sites or apps? | Legal (correct answer) | 60 | 60 |
| Not legal | 13 | ||
| Not sure | 27 | ||
| Can the U.S. government legally force social media companies to remove false information posted on their sites? | Yes | 25 | 37 |
| No (correct answer) | 37 | ||
| Not sure | 37 | ||
| Does the U.S. Constitution protect the press from interference by the U.S. government? | Yes (correct answer) | 58 | 58 |
| No | 14 | ||
| Not sure | 27 | ||
| Does the U.S. Constitution protect the press from interference by private companies? | Yes | 29 | 33 |
| No (correct answer) | 33 | ||
| Not sure | 37 | ||
| Are information or opinions published by news organizations protected by the First Amendment? | Yes (correct answer) | 70 | 70 |
| No | 7 | ||
| Not sure | 22 | ||
| Are information or opinions expressed by influencers or creators protected by the First Amendment? | Yes (correct answer) | 64 | 64 |
| No | 10 | ||
| Not sure | 25 | ||
| Are information or opinions expressed by ordinary people protected by the First Amendment? | Yes (correct answer) | 71 | 71 |
| No | 8 | ||
| Not sure | 19 |
Note: Correct answers are highlighted and in bold. “Not sure” appeared at the bottom of each option set. All questions were multiple choice. For full question wording, refer to the topline. Respondents who did not answer are not shown.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults conducted March 23-29, 2026.
“Americans Value Press Freedom but Differ on Its Limits”
“Americans Value Press Freedom but Differ on Its Limits”
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
