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Explaining Public Familiarity With and Support for Net Neutrality

Sat, May 27, 17:00 to 18:15, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Floor: 4 (Sapphire), Exhibit Hall - Rear

Abstract

This study analyzes what explains public familiarity with and opinion about the increasingly prominent issue of net neutrality. It uses original data from national telephone surveys conducted in 2014 and 2015 to test hypotheses derived from theories of how citizens learn about issues and form opinions given low information. The results suggest that familiarity with and support for net neutrality reflect responses to politically polarized debate; different forms of media use, particularly of partisan cable news and satirical comedy programs; and use of streaming video services. The findings provide a foundation for understanding public opinion about emerging internet-related policy issues.

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