Are poll results news? Look at most any daily newspaper, and those editors clearly say yes.
Even so, some of us are beginning to wonder if the gathering of people’s opinions warrants news coverage at all.
Don’t get me wrong. We do our own silly polls. You can find one on this newsletter. They are not scientific, or random, or meaningful in any real way — other than being entertaining, we hope.
But, is it appropriate for the media to publish poll results that might sway public opinion?
Researchers have observed that people will frequently conform to a majority opinion, jumping on the bandwagon to be on the “winning team” of a leading candidate or a popular policy. But, for every study that shows how poll results may impact decisions, there is another showing that they won’t.
Meanwhile, consider this. If you viewed poll results that said those who wear checkered shirts are 71% more likely to receive a job offer, or not get arrested, or win the lottery (or whatever impacts you), would you consider wearing more checkered shirts? Or, at least think about it the next time you went shopping or picked something out from your closet?
The most logical stuff I have read on this explained that polling itself is not the problem, but the reporting on the poll results is. Makes sense to me. After all, 53% of people surveyed say they refuse to participate in polls.
Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707