Inside AFP
New Public Opinion Poll Finds that 2 out of 3 Citizens Believe Tech Giants Have More Power than the European Union
Within EU Member States where the Copyright Directive has been fiercely debated, 61% fear the influence of tech giants compromises the functioning of European democracies, 87% favour legislation guaranteeing the remuneration of artists.
Brussels, September 6, 2018 – EUROPE FOR CREATORS today released a new poll among “swing states” and France that found that an overwhelming number of respondents (87%) support legislation to protect artists’ rights. The data also revealed deep concerns that Internet platforms are endangering democracy in Europe, with 67% indicating that platforms have more power than the European Union and 61% indicating the sovereignty and independence of European countries is compromised by the influence of Internet platforms.
The online poll, fielded by Harris Interactive, surveyed 6,600 citizens over the age of 18-years old in Spain, Italy, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Greece and France (where the Directive had been debated), to understand their perception of relations between the EU and Internet platforms and the protection and remuneration of creators. These countries represent nearly 60% of the EU Members of Parliament and are critical deciders in the Copyright Directive debate.
“These results are incredibly striking. They amount to a wakeup call to MEPs, ahead of the EU Copyright Directive vote on September 12. The balance of power needs to be reformed in favour of creators and citizens.” said Véronique Desbrosses, general manager, European Grouping of Societies of Authors and Composers (GESAC). “MEPs have the future of the European Union in their hands. The people have spoken, now policymakers must act.”
Additional notable insights from the poll included:
- 66% of respondents believe internet platforms do not fairly share revenues with content creators whose content appears on their sites, with French (76%) and German (72%) respondents most strongly indicating that current revenue sharing is unfair.
- 81% of respondents believe platforms should more fairly remunerate media organisations, with the highest number of respondents who are completely in favour of legislation to level the playing field located in Germany (43%) and Romania (41%).
“This is the first survey ever to explore the perceived influence of global tech giants on the functioning of democracy in Europe. The insights clearly highlight that citizens are waiting for action,” said Jean-Daniel Lévy, Head of the Opinion department of Harris Interactive.
This poll was conducted between August 24 and 30, 2018 and included a representative sample of populations in the target countries.