Posted on July 13, 2016

Most Say Media Inspires Attacks on Police

Rasmussen, July 13, 2016

Americans strongly believe the media is emphasizing shootings by police officers involving black suspects over ones in which whites are shot and that that media coverage is prompting attacks on police.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of America Adults think that given two separate police shootings, the media would give more coverage to an incident in which a policeman shoots a black suspect. Only 11% believe the media would give more coverage to a police shooting in which the suspect is white. Thirteen percent (13%) say the level of coverage would be about the same. {snip}

Sixty-two percent (62%) say the media coverage of shootings by police officers inspires people to attack the police. Twenty-two percent (22%) disagree, but another 16% are not sure.

Only 34% of Americans believe there are more police shootings in America today. Most (58%) believe such incidents are more visible to the public now through social media and smartphone technology.

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Just over half (51%) of blacks agree with 65% of whites and 59% of other minority adults that the media coverage of shootings by police officers inspire people to attack the police. {snip}

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