Entering the peak of the the 2020 election season, social media platforms are firmly entrenched as a venue for Americans to process campaign news and engage in various types of social activism. But not all Americans use these platforms in similar ways.
Among Republicans, opinions about the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. differ considerably by source of news.
A majority (82%) say there are times when it is acceptable for journalists to use anonymous sources, with 67% saying it is acceptable only in special cases.
About two-thirds of Republicans say the U.S. has controlled the outbreak as much as it could have; 88% of Democrats disagree.
Videos from independent news producers are more likely to cover subjects negatively and discuss conspiracy theories.
Republicans are about four times as likely as Democrats to say voter fraud has been a major issue with mail-in ballots.
The public is more likely to have heard “a lot” about ongoing confrontations between police and protesters than several other stories.
Americans are following the president's statements on the COVID-19 pandemic less closely than a few months ago.
U.S. lawmakers have received roughly 2 million more love than anger reactions to posts in the first seven months of 2020.
73% of Americans express little or no confidence in tech companies to prevent the misuse of their platforms to influence the 2020 election.
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About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.
