Australians ‘value free speech’

Nearly 90 per cent of Australians believe freedom of speech is an important value, according to new polling ahead of an inquiry into media diversity.

Nearly 90 per cent of Australians believe freedom of speech is an important value, according to new polling ahead of an inquiry into media diversity and Facebook’s decision to impose a blanket ban on news content.

A poll of 1038 Australians, commissioned by free-market think tank the Institute of Public Affairs, indicated 87 per cent of people agreed freedom of speech was an important value compared to only 4 per cent who disagreed.

According to the polling, conducted in December by Dynata, support for free speech was most strong among older Australians, at 95 per cent for those aged over 60, while support was most weak among the 18-29 age group, although still at 69 per cent.

IPA director of policy Gideon Rozner said the strong support for free speech came amid demands for a “Murdoch royal commission” amid concerns from prominent Australians, including Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull, about media concentration and the influence of News Corp media outlets.

“Australia’s political and cultural elites’ obsession with censoring the free press flies in the face of Australians’ strong belief for freedom of speech,” he said. “The likes of Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull want to trample over private media organisations, and the many Australians who subscribe to them.

“This is not about genuine ‘media diversity’, but rather seeks to narrow the range of viewpoints in the public square.”