|
* "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.
** Collapsed from a 5-point scale.
Results of survey conducted in early April showed that, on a scale of 0-10, the latest credibility rating of the Hong Kong news media in general was 5.72 marks. Moreover, 62% of the respondents were satisfied with the freedom of the press in Hong Kong, 18% perceived the local news media to be responsible in their reporting, 74% believed the local news media had given full play to the freedom of speech, but 69% said they had misused or abused the freedom of press. Besides, 39% of the respondents thought the local news media had practised self-censorship while 45% perceived the contrary, 31% thought they had scruples when criticizing the HKSAR Government, whereas 56% thought they had scruples when criticizing the Central Government.
|
|
Commentary
Robert Ting-Yiu Chung, Director of Public Opinion Programme, observed, "The credibility rating of the local news media in general has dropped significantly over the last five months, the reason may be traced from a number of indicators. On the positive side, people's satisfaction with press freedom has increased, those who considered the news media had given full play to the freedom of speech have also increased, while those who considered the media had practised self-censorship have dropped. On the negative side, however, those who believed the news media had misused or abused the freedom of press have increased significantly, so were those who said the media had been irresponsible in making their reports. The latter actually registered the biggest change in terms of magnitude across all indicators. In other words, the decrease in the media's general credibility might well have been due to their perceived abuse of press freedom and their production of irresponsible reports."
News about POP
POP's normal practice is to release the results of our regular surveys every Tuesday afternoon via our POP Site, except during public holidays, each time with a forecast of the items to be released in the next 7 days. According to schedule, our next release of regular survey findings will be April 25, 2006, Tuesday, between 1pm to 2pm, when the latest popularity figures of CE Donald Tsang and HKSAR Government will be released.
Our general practice is to answer all questions on the research design of the surveys published in the POP Site as soon as we receive them, but we will not further comment on the findings. We welcome questions for follow-up purpose, please email them to us at <[email protected]>. 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 POP, is responsible for everything posted herewith, except for column articles which represent the stand of their authors.
Starting 2006, we have included a small educational section for the purpose of general civic education, the content of which was based on previous questions and comments we have received from the public. The subject of our education section today is 「FAQs of Opinion Research」.
Some FAQs of Opinion Research
Q: Why is HKUPOP no longer measuring the performance of news media once every three months?
A: The ideal frequency of tracking surveys depends on how public opinion of relevant items fluctuates, and how serious we take those fluctuations. Under limited resources, HKUPOP regularly reviews the frequency of all tracking surveys. After the latest review, POP decided to expand the cycle of tracking surveys on the performance of the news media, thus reducing their frequencies, in order to spare more resources for other surveys. However, in order to be fair, POP's general policy is that once the frequency of a tracking survey is fixed, POP will not alter the fieldwork dates in order to suit particular events which may affect the results.
Q: Is there an ideal frequency for opinion polling?
A: Please refer to the answer given in our press release of January 24, 2006.
|
