HKU POP releases people's appraisal of local news mediaBack

Press Release on November 5, 2013

Abstract

The Public Opinion Programme (POP) at the University of Hong Kong interviewed 1,022 Hong Kong people between 28 and 31 October 2013 by means of a random telephone survey conducted by real interviewers. The survey finds that compared to five months ago, although the general credibility rating of the news media has not changed much, people's net satisfaction with press freedom has dropped to a new low since 1997, with only positive 25 percentage points. Among various types of news media, people are most satisfied with the television and radio, both with net satisfaction rate at positive 46 percentage points. However, their appraisal of television has dropped four consecutive times to a new low since 1993, probably affected by the recent incident of issuing free TV licenses. Compared to five months ago, people's satisfaction with the overall performance of the news media in general has dropped by 7 percentage points to 46%, while dissatisfaction rate increases to 16%, thus compressing the net satisfaction to positive 31 percentage points, which is all-time record low since this survey began in 1993. The fact that people's net satisfaction with the overall performance of news media and their net satisfaction with press freedom have both reached new lows at the same time warrants more attention. According to our survey, most people think the media have given full play to press freedom, but at the same time misused or abused press freedom. Around one-third each consider the media responsible and irresponsible in their reporting. Close to half believe Hong Kong's news media have practiced self-censorship, mainly because of their hesitation to criticize the Central Government, but not so when criticizing the HKSAR Government. The maximum sampling error of all percentages is not more than +/-4% at 95% confidence level, while the sampling errors of rating figures and net satisfaction rates need another calculation. The response rate of the rating survey is 69%.

Points to note:
[1] The address of the "HKU POP SITE" is http://hkupop.pori.hk, journalists can check out the details of the survey there.

[2] The sample size of the survey on people's appraisal of local news media is 1,022 successful interviews, not 1,022 x 68.9% response rate.
[3] "95% confidence level" means that if we were to repeat a certain survey 100 times, using the same questions each time but with different random samples, we would expect 95 times getting a figure within the error margins specified. When quoting these figures, journalists can state "sampling error of rating not more than +/-0.15 marks, sampling error of percentages not more than +/-4% and sampling error of net satisfaction rates not more than +/-7% at 95% confidence level".
[4] Because of sampling errors in conducting the survey(s) and the rounding procedures in processing the data, the figures cannot be too precise, and the totals may not be completely accurate. Therefore, when quoting percentages of the survey(s), journalists should refrain from reporting decimal places, but when quoting the rating figures, one decimal place can be used.
[5] The data of this survey is collected by means of random telephone interviews conducted by real interviewers, not by any interactive voice system (IVS). If a research organization uses "computerized random telephone survey" to camouflage its IVS operation, it should be considered unprofessional.

Latest Figures

POP today releases on schedule via the "POP SITE" the latest figures of people's appraisal of local news media. As a general practice, all figures have been weighted according to provisional figures obtained from the Census and Statistics Department regarding the gender-age distribution of the Hong Kong population in 2013 mid-year. Herewith the contact information for the latest survey:

Date of survey	Overall sample size	Response rate	Sampling error of percentages ^[6]
28-31/10/2013	1,022	68.9%	+/-3%

[6] Calculated at 95% confidence level using full sample size. "95% confidence level" means that if we were to repeat a certain survey 100 times, using the same questions each time but with different random samples, we would expect 95 times getting a figure within the error margins specified.

Recent figures are summarized as follows:

Date of survey	10-18/4/2012	8-18/10/2012	28-31/5/2013	28-31/10/2013	Latest change
Sample base ^[10]	1,012	1,012	1,012	1,022	--
Overall response rate	65.8%	67.8%	66.8%	68.9%	--
Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding and error ^[7]	--
Credibility rating of the local news media in general	6.22	6.16	6.01^[9]	6.14+/-0.15	+0.13
Freedom of the press in HK: Satisfaction rate ^[8]	69%^[9]	54%^[9]	53%	53+/-4%	--
Freedom of the press in HK: Dissatisfaction rate ^[8]	14%^[9]	24%^[9]	24%	28+/-4%	+4%
Net satisfaction rate	55%	30%^[9]	29%	25+/-7%	-4%
Mean value^[8]	3.6+/-0.1^[9] (Base=644)	3.4+/-0.1^[9] (Base=512)	3.3+/-0.1 (Base=670)	3.2+/-0.1 (Base=582)	-0.1
Perceived the local news media to be responsible in their reporting ^[8]	38%^[9]	31%^[9]	31%	32+/-4%	+1%
Perceived the local news media to be irresponsible in their reporting ^[8]	27%^[9]	31%	29%	32+/-4%	+3%
Mean value^[8]	3.1+/-0.1^[9] (Base=635)	2.9+/-0.1^[9] (Base=498)	3.0+/-0.1 (Base=607)	3.0+/-0.1 (Base=575)	--
Perceived that the local news media had given full play to the freedom of speech	70%	73%	71%	60+/-4%	-11%^[9]
Perceived that the local news media had not given full play to the freedom of speech	23%	21%	22%	33+/-4%	+11%^[9]
Perceived that the local news media had misused/abused the freedom of press	63%^[9]	59%	56%	53+/-4%	-3%
Perceived that the local news media had not misused/abused the freedom of press	28%	31%	32%	37+/-4%	+5%^[9]
Perceived that the local news media had practised self-censorship	50%	49%	48%	51+/-4%	+3%
Perceived that the local news media had not practised self-censorship	35%	37%	35%	33+/-4%	-2%
Perceived that the local news media had scruples when criticizing the HKSAR Government	36%^[9]	31%^[9]	34%	38+/-4%	+4%
Perceived that the local news media had no scruples when criticizing the HKSAR Government	59%^[9]	64%^[9]	57%^[9]	55+/-4%	-2%
Perceived that the local news media had scruples when criticizing the Central Government	55%	48%^[9]	52%	57+/-4%	+5%^[9]
Perceived that the local news media had no scruples when criticizing the Central Government	37%	43%^[9]	38%^[9]	34+/-4%	-4%

[7] All error figures in the table are calculated at 95% confidence level. "95% confidence level" means that if we were to repeat a certain survey 100 times, using the same questions each time but with different random samples, we would expect 95 times getting a figure within the error margins specified. Media can state "sampling error of rating not more than +/-0.15 mark, sampling error of percentages not more than +/-4% and sampling error of net satisfaction rates not more than +/-7% at 95% confidence level" when quoting the above figures. The error margin of previous survey can be found at the POP Site.
[8] Collapsed from a 5-point scale. The mean value is calculated by quantifying all individual responses into 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 marks according to their degree of positive level, where 1 is the lowest and 5 the highest, and then calculate the sample mean.
[9] Such changes have gone beyond the sampling errors at the 95% confidence level, meaning that they are statistically significant prima facie. However, whether numerical differences are statistically significant or not is not the same as whether they are practically useful or meaningful.
[10] Starting from 2011, these questions only uses sub-samples of the tracking surveys concerned, the sample size for each question also varies.

Results of latest survey showed that, on a scale of 0-10, the latest credibility rating of the Hong Kong news media in general was 6.14 marks. Moreover, 53% of the respondents were satisfied with the freedom of the press in Hong Kong while 28% were dissatisfied. The mean value is 3.2, which is in between "half-half" and "quite satisfied". 32% perceived the local news media to be responsible in their reporting, 32% regarded the local news media as irresponsible. The mean value is 3.0, meaning "half-half". 60% believed the local news media had given full play to the freedom of speech, but 53% said they had misused or abused the freedom of press. Besides, 51% of the respondents thought the local news media had practised self-censorship while 33% perceived the contrary, 38% thought they had scruples when criticizing the HKSAR Government, whereas 57% thought they had scruples when criticizing the Central Government. The results of other questions such as people's main source of news and their satisfaction on individual news media are shown below:

Date of survey	10-18/4/2012	8-18/10/2012	28-31/5/2013	28-31/10/2013	Latest change
Sample base ^[15]	1,012	1,012	1,012	1,022	--
Overall response rate	65.8%	67.8%	66.8%	68.9%	--
Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding and error^[11]	--
People's main source of news: Television	76%	73%	71%	77+/-4%	+6%^[14]
People's main source of news: Newspaper	65%	62%	55%^[14]	60+/-4%	+5%^[14]
People's main source of news: Internet	40%	41%	45%	49+/-4%	+4%
People's main source of news: Radio	25%	23%	21%	35+/-4%	+14%^[14]
People's main source of news: Friends	8%	8%	9%	14+/-3%	+5%^[14]
Perceived that television was the most trustworthy source	53%^[14]	48%^[14]	50%	36+/-4%	-14%^[14]
Perceived that newspaper was the most trustworthy source	17%	18%	14%^[14]	21+/-3%	+7%^[14]
Perceived that radio was the most trustworthy source	14%	15%	14%	20+/-3%	+6%^[14]
Perceived that internet was the most trustworthy source	4%	8%^[14]	6%	10+/-3%	+4%^[14]
Perceived that family member was the most trustworthy source	2%	2%	4%^[14]	3+/-2%	-1%
Satisfaction rate of television ^[12]	74%^[14]	66%^[14]	61%^[14]	60+/-4%	-1%
Dissatisfaction rate of television ^[12]	6%^[14]	6%	10%^[14]	15+/-3%	+5%^[14]
Net satisfaction rate	68%	60%^[14]	51%^[14]	46+/-6%	-5%
Mean value^[12]	3.8+/-0.1^[14] (Base=644)	3.7+/-0.1 (Base=517)	3.6+/-0.1 (Base=627)	3.5+/-0.1 (Base=531)	-0.1
Satisfaction rate of radio ^[12]	59%	54%^[14]	51%	56+/-4%	+5%^[14]
Dissatisfaction rate of radio ^[12]	6%	9%	6%	10+/-3%	+4%^[14]
Net satisfaction rate	53%	45%^[14]	45%	46+/-6%	+1%
Mean value^[12]	3.7+/-0.1 (Base=560)	3.6+/-0.1 (Base=452)	3.6+/-0.1 (Base=517)	3.6+/-0.1 (Base=466)	--
Satisfaction rate of internet ^[12] ^[13]	35%	33%	31%	42+/-4%	+11%^[14]
Dissatisfaction rate of internet ^[12] ^[13]	16%	13%	15%	16+/-3%	+1%
Net satisfaction rate	19%	20%	16%	26+/-6%	+10%^[14]
Mean value^[12]	3.3+/-0.1 (Base=537)	3.3+/-0.1 (Base=375)	3.2+/-0.1 (Base=519)	3.3+/-0.1 (Base=446)	+0.1
Satisfaction rate of newspapers ^[12]	39%	38%	34%	39+/-4%	+5%^[14]
Dissatisfaction rate of newspapers ^[12]	23%	24%	19%^[14]	24+/-4%	+5%^[14]
Net satisfaction rate	16%	14%	15%	16+/-6%	+1%
Mean value^[12]	3.2+/-0.1 (Base=667)	3.1+/-0.1 (Base=484)	3.1+/-0.1 (Base=607)	3.1+/-0.1 (Base=543)	--
Satisfaction rate of magazines ^[12]	9%	10%	10%	12+/-3%	+2%
Dissatisfaction rate of magazines ^[12]	54%	47%^[14]	43%	43+/-4%	--
Net satisfaction rate	-45%	-37%^[14]	-33%	-32+/-6%	+1%
Mean value^[12]	2.3+/-0.1 (Base=531)	2.4+/-0.1 (Base=400)	2.5+/-0.1 (Base=528)	2.5+/-0.1 (Base=446)	--
Satisfaction rate of news media in general ^[12]	58%	51%^[14]	53%	46+/-4%	-7%^[14]
Dissatisfaction rate of news media in general ^[12]	10%	14%^[14]	12%	16+/-3%	+4%^[14]
Net satisfaction rate	48%	37%^[14]	41%	31+/-6%	-10%^[14]
Mean value^[12]	3.5+/-0.1 (Base=617)	3.4+/-0.1 (Base=488)	3.4+/-0.1 (Base=655)	3.3+/-0.1 (Base=541)	-0.1

[11] All error figures in the table are calculated at 95% confidence level. "95% confidence level" means that if we were to repeat a certain survey 100 times, using the same questions each time but with different random samples, we would expect 95 times getting a figure within the error margins specified. Media can state "sampling error of percentages not more than +/-4% and that of net satisfaction rates not more than +/-6% at 95% confidence level" when quoting the above figures. The error margin of previous survey can be found at the POP Site.
[12] Collapsed from a 5-point scale. The mean value is calculated by quantifying all individual responses into 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 marks according to their degree of positive level, where 1 is the lowest and 5 the highest, and then calculate the sample mean.
[13] Question was first introduced in April 2010.
[14] Such changes have gone beyond the sampling errors at the 95% confidence level, meaning that they are statistically significant prima facie. However, whether numerical differences are statistically significant or not is not the same as whether they are practically useful or meaningful.
[15] Starting from 2011, these questions only uses sub-samples of the tracking surveys concerned, the sample size for each question also varies.

Results of the survey also showed that, 77% and 60% of the respondents claimed their main sources of news were television and newspaper respectively, while 36% thought the news reported by the former channel was the most trustworthy. Regarding people's appraisal of various news channels, 60% of the respondents were satisfied with the television, whereas 56% were satisfied with the radio. Mean values of these two channels were 3.5 and 3.6 respectively, which were in between "half-half" and "quite satisfied". Comparatively speaking, people's satisfaction with the internet and the printed media was lower, as the respective satisfaction rates of the internet, the newspaper and the magazine were 42%, 39% and 12% only, mean values of the former two were 3.3 and 3.1 respectively, meaning close to "half-half" whereas that of the latter was 2.5, which was in between "quite dissatisfied" and "half-half". All in all, the latest satisfaction rate of the above news media in general was 46%, the mean value is 3.3 which was in between "half-half" and "quite satisfied".

Commentary

Robert Ting-Yiu Chung, Director of Public Opinion Programme, observed, "Compared to five months ago, although the general credibility rating of the news media has not changed much, people's net satisfaction with press freedom has dropped to a new low since 1997, with only positive 25 percentage points. Among various types of news media, people are most satisfied with the television and radio, both with net satisfaction rate at positive 46 percentage points. However, their appraisal of television has dropped four consecutive times to a new low since 1993, probably affected by the recent incident of issuing free TV licenses. Compared to five months ago, people's satisfaction with the overall performance of the news media in general has dropped by 7 percentage points to 46%, while dissatisfaction rate increases to 16%, thus compressing the net satisfaction to positive 31 percentage points, which is all-time record low since this survey began in 1993. The fact that people's net satisfaction with the overall performance of news media and their net satisfaction with press freedom have both reached new lows at the same time warrants more attention. According to our survey, most people think the media have given full play to press freedom, but at the same time misused or abused press freedom. Around one-third each consider the media responsible and irresponsible in their reporting. Close to half believe Hong Kong's news media have practiced self-censorship, mainly because of their hesitation to criticize the Central Government, but not so when criticizing the HKSAR Government. As for the reasons affecting people's appraisal of the press, readers can make their own judgment after reading the list of events archived in our 'Opinion Daily' feature page in our 'POP Site'."

Future Release (Tentative)

November 12, 2013 (Tuesday) 1pm to 2pm: Popularity of CE and Principal Officials