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Scott Rasmussen's Number of the Day for February 9, 2026

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By Scott Rasmussen

The Number of the Day columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.

February 9, 2026: Forty-two percent (42%) of voters are very worried about government efforts to restrict freedom of speech. A Napolitan News Service national survey conducted by RMG Research found 29% are somewhat worried, 16% are not very worried, and 11% are not at all worried.

The survey also found 38% are more worried by disinformation and fake news than by the federal government deciding what information and news should be allowed. Fifty-seven percent (57%) are more worried about the federal government deciding what information and news should be allowed.

Methodology

The survey of 1,000 registered voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on January 28, 2026. Fieldwork for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of registered voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population. The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 3.1 percentage points.

Scott Rasmussen is the president of RMG Research, Inc. and founder of the Napolitan Institute.

Survey questions

How worried are you about government efforts to restrict freedom of speech?

  • 42%-Very worried
  • 29%-Somewhat worried
  • 16%-Not very worried
  • 11%-Not at all worried
  • 2%-Not sure

Which worries you more: disinformation and fake news or the federal government deciding what information and news should be allowed?

  • 38%-Disinformation and fake news
  • 57%-Federal government deciding what information and news should be allowed
  • 5%-Not sure



Each weekday, Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day explores interesting and newsworthy topics at the intersection of culture, politics, and technology.

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