Six-in-ten Americans say political media hurts civility

Sep 7–13, 2023 · n = 2,000 · MoE ±2.3%Source report ↗

Core finding

In a Verasight survey of 2,000 U.S. adults conducted Sept. 7 to 13, 2023, 61% of Americans said political media content they consume has a negative effect on political civility in the U.S. This includes 21% who said a strong negative effect, 21% who said a moderate negative effect, and 20% who said a slight negative effect.

About one in six said political media has a positive effect on civility (16%), with 7% who said a slight positive effect and 5% each who said a moderate or strong positive effect. Another 23% said it has no effect.

Topline scale

61% of Americans say political media has a negative effect on civility.

What effect does this content have on political civility in the United States?

No Effect
23.1%
Strong Negative Effect
21.3%
Moderate Negative Effect
20.6%
Slight Negative Effect
19.5%
Slight Positive Effect
6.6%
Strong Positive Effect
4.5%
Moderate Positive Effect
4.5%

n = 2,000 · Sep 7–13, 2023 · MoE ±2.3%

Net findings combine adjacent response options from the same scale.
ModeVerasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
PopulationUnited States adults
Field datesSep 7–13, 2023
Base (unweighted)2,000
Margin of error±2.3%
Module2023 APSA Omnibus Survey #2023-071
SponsorVerasight
Weight variableweight
Weighting targetsage, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

Sources

  1. 01

    What effect does this content have on political civility in the United States?

    verasight-apsa-2023.tiiny.co

Cite this question

2023 APSA Omnibus Survey #2023-071, fielded September 7-13, 2023, N=2,000 United States adults, +/- 2.3%.