One in three U.S. high school students say the press ought to be more restricted, and even more say the government should approve newspaper stories before readers see them, according to a survey being released today. The survey of 112,003 students finds that 36% believe newspapers should get “government approval” of stories before publishing; 51% say they should be able to publish freely; 13% have no opinion.Asked whether the press enjoys “too much freedom,” not enough or about the right amount, 32% say “too much,” and 37% say it has the right amount. Ten percent say it has too little.
The survey of First Amendment rights was commissioned by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and conducted last spring by the University of Connecticut. It also questioned 327 principals and 7,889 teachers.
They may not learn how to read or write very well, but it’s clear that the brainwashing is proceeding according to plan. I’d guess that the same poll taken a generation from now will significantly increase the percentage that believe government approval should be required. The entire – ENTIRE – point of the public schools is to increase reliance on government; they are working precisely as designed.
Personally, I’m quite curious to know the views of the principals and teachers on the concept of press freedom. I suspect their views are even more radically pro-government than their indoctrinated little victims.