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Key Finding 4

Students who do not participate in any media-related activities are less likely to think that people should be allowed to burn or deface the American flag as a political statement. Students who have taken more media and/or First Amendment classes are more likely to think that people should be allowed to express unpopular opinions.

"Sadly, most principals think their schools are doing a good job teaching the First Amendment, but it is clear that too few understand or value the ideas within the First Amendment that they claim to teach."  

-Scott Olson, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Minnesota State University, Mankato; and former Dean, Ball State University 's College of Communications

Most students (86 percent) do not participate in any media-related activities. The 14 percent that do participate were classified into three groups:

. 8 percent are "low activity" students (they participate in one activity);
. 3 percent are "moderate activity" students (they participate in two activities);
. 3 percent are "high activity'' students (they participate in three or more activities).

In general, the more students participated in media-related activities, the more they appreciated certain First Amendment rights.

For example, this graphic shows that 39 percent of high activity students think that people should be allowed to burn or deface the American flag as a political statement. However, just 15 percent of no activity students felt that way.

People should be allowed to burn or deface the American flag as a political statement- agree or disagree?

This graphic shows that 87 percent of students who have taken at least four classes dealing with the media and/or First Amendment think people should be allowed to express unpopular opinions, while nearly 20 percent fewer (68 percent) who have not taken any of those classes agree with that right.

People should be allowed to express unpopular opinions-- agree or disagree?

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