Raggytash: Yes, it can work both ways.

It could also be that members of the audience did not wish to speak out and be identified. It's a common occurrence, to avoid vilification. The UK often has a 'silent majority' which is why pollsters can predict elections/referendums one way, but, following a secret ballot, the outcome confounds them.
The Conservatives insisted on proper secret ballots for 'industrial action' to prevent the old-fashioned 'show of hands' intimidating those at union meetings from showing their true feelings.