Think celebrities have a huge sway in politics? Think again! New data suggests most people aren’t interested in stars airing their political views, even if they find it ‘acceptable.’ It seems when it comes to serious issues, we prefer to hear from friends, family, or perhaps, no one at all. Are celebrity endorsements really falling flat?
New polling data reveals a significant disconnect between celebrity political activism and public interest, indicating that most people have little appetite for famous figures weighing in on political issues.
When questioned about whose political views they value, a mere 8% of respondents expressed interest in hearing more from celebrities, highlighting a prevalent public indifference to their political endorsements.
While just over half of the populace finds it acceptable for celebrities to raise awareness for political causes, the overwhelming majority simultaneously stated a clear lack of interest in further engagement on these issues from famous personalities.
The survey further underscored a significant trust deficit, with respondents most likely to place their trust in family and friends or, notably, no one at all, when seeking views on political matters. Only a minimal 5% indicated trust in celebrities on such sensitive topics, further illustrating the limited social influence of celebrity political views.
Delving deeper, over half of those polled considered it appropriate for celebrities to advocate for political causes (55%) and to encourage constituents to contact their Members of Parliament (57%). However, a substantial 52% drew a firm line at celebrities encouraging protests that could lead to illegal activities or supporting proscribed organizations.
These findings emerge against a backdrop of recent high-profile incidents, including various bands withdrawing from a UK music festival after an Irish folk group claimed censorship for displaying a Palestinian flag. Moreover, award-winning author Sally Rooney recently garnered headlines for her intention to donate book earnings to Palestine Action, an organization recently designated as a terrorist group in the UK, openly stating her acceptance of any legal repercussions, underscoring the complexities of political activism.
The comprehensive polling, commissioned by the PA news agency and conducted online by Ipsos, surveyed 1,100 individuals aged 16 to 75 across England, Scotland, and Wales between August 22 and 25, providing a robust snapshot of public opinion regarding celebrity involvement in political discourse and media engagement.
