This study investigated the demobilizing and third-person effects of the 2011 Debate of the Century between Chou and Chen on the intention of
young voters to censor media and their willingness to vote. Participants (n = 701) were randomly assigned to either the experimental group to watch the Debate of the Century or the control group to watch a control film. The
videos were equal in length.
Results of statistical analysis indicate that the Debate of the Century tended to induce voter distrust, political apathy, and low political efficacy, thereby reducing voters’ willingness to vote. Additionally, the participants
perceived that the impact of the Debate of the Century was greater on other voters than on themselves. The demobilizing and third-person effects not only influence the intention of voters to censor media but also their voting
behavior.