HKU POP SITE releases the latest subjective freedom indicatorsBack

The Public Opinion Programme (POP) at the University of Hong Kong today releases on schedule via the "HKU POP SITE" (http://hkupop.pori.hk) the latest results of various subjective freedom indicators. Recent figures are summarized as follows:

* "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.

The survey conducted in early January revealed that, on a scale of 0-10, the freedoms of "religious belief" and "entering or leaving Hong Kong" scored the highest ratings with 8.69 and 8.45 marks, followed by freedoms to engage in "academic research" and "artistic and literary creation", attaining 8.10 and 8.09 marks correspondingly. Freedoms of "procession and demonstration" and "publication" formed the next tier, with respective scores of 7.61 and 7.49 marks. Meanwhile, the freedoms of "speech", "association" and "press" scored 7.43, 7.40 and 7.39 marks in respective orders. Finally, the freedom to "strike" attained 6.76 marks.

Robert Ting-Yiu Chung, Director of Public Opinion Programme, observed, "Almost all subjective freedom indicators have gone up over the past 3 months, many near record high since the handover. Among the 10 indicators, 'freedom of speech', 'freedom of the press' and 'freedom of publication' have climbed most, with increases of 0.55, 0.47 and 0.36 marks correspondingly, marking the end of all effects due to the departure of some outspoken radio talk show hosts.* Moreover, recent marches and demonstrations have also pushed up people's appraisal of Hong Kong's 'freedom of procession and demonstration'. If the Central and SAR Governments would continue to adopt an open attitude towards oppositions, in order to protect Hong Kong's liberal tradition, our freedom indicators may climb even higher."

POP's normal practice is to release the results of our regular surveys every Tuesday at 2 pm via our POP Site, except during public holidays, each time with a forecast of the items to be released in the forthcoming week. We will review and adjust this operation regularly. According to this schedule, the date and time of our next release will be January 25, 2005, Tuesday, at 2 pm, the latest figures on subjective social and legal indicators will be released.

Shall anyone have any question regarding the research design of the surveys published in the POP Site, members of the POP Team will be happy to answer them, but we will not further comment on the findings. Shall any person or journalist have any other questions, please email them to us at <[email protected]>. The Director of Public Opinion Programme would answer them as soon as possible. We will keep such an arrangement under constant review, suggestions most welcome. Please note that everything carried in the POP Site does not represent the stand of the University of Hong Kong. Dr Robert Ting-Yiu Chung, Director of Public Opinion Programme, is responsible for everything posted herewith, except for column articles which represent the stand of their authors.

* This clause was accidentally omitted in the original release.