Recent polling suggests that most people do not pay attention to celebrities speaking out in support of political causes, reports Breaking News.
Although just over half of people think it is acceptable for celebrities to raise awareness on such issues, the majority indicate they are not interested in hearing more from famous figures about political matters, according to a recent survey.
The polling, commissioned by the PA news agency, took place over a weekend during which several bands withdrew from a UK music festival. This came after Irish folk band The Mary Wallopers claimed they were “cut off” for displaying a Palestinian flag, reports Breaking News.
The organisers of the Victorious music festival in Portsmouth later apologised to the band for the incident and promised to make “a substantial donation to humanitarian relief efforts for the Palestinian people.”
A growing number of artists have voiced their opinions on the ongoing Gaza conflict, including singer Madonna and rock band U2. Many have used social media or live performances as platforms to express their views, reports Breaking News.
Online polling by Ipsos for PA, conducted among more than 1,000 people in Great Britain, found that 60% of respondents had not paid attention to celebrities expressing political views.
The survey revealed that most people prefer to trust family and friends, or no one at all, when it comes to political opinions. Thirty-two percent said they trusted family or friends, and 32% said they trust no one. Only 5% said they trusted celebrities on political matters, reports Breaking News.
When asked who they would be interested in hearing more from regarding political issues, only 8% of people selected celebrities. This was lower than responses for the royal family (10%), politicians (13%), and academics (20%).
Over half of those surveyed (55%) felt that it was acceptable for celebrities to raise awareness about political causes, and 57% supported the idea of celebrities encouraging people to contact their MPs about a political issue.
However, 52% felt it was unacceptable for celebrities to encourage protests that might break the law, such as supporting a banned organisation, while 22% thought it was acceptable, reports Breaking News.
Recently, award-winning author Sally Rooney made headlines for announcing that she would donate her earnings from her books and BBC adaptations to support Palestine Action, a group that has recently been classified as a terrorist organisation in the UK.
The Irish author of Normal People stated that if supporting Palestine Action “makes me a ‘supporter of terror’ under UK law, so be it,” reports Breaking News.
Although Palestine Action was recently banned in the UK, the group is not outlawed under Irish law.
Ms. Rooney, who lives in western Ireland, wrote in the Irish Times earlier this month: “I want to be clear that I intend to use the proceeds from my work, as well as my public platform, to continue supporting Palestine Action and direct action against genocide in whatever way I can,” reports Breaking News.
The Ipsos polling was conducted between August 22nd and 25th, with 1,100 people aged 16-75 across England, Scotland, and Wales.
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