HKU POP SITE releases people's appraisal of local news mediaBack

Press Release on October 23, 2008

Special Announcement

Starting from July this year, the Public Opinion Programme (POP) at the University of Hong Kong has been responsible for designing and maintaining the Chinese homepage of the WorldPublicOpinion.org (WPO). WPO was initiated and managed by the Program on International Policy Attitudes at the University of Maryland. At present WPO consists of research centers from over 20 countries or regions. The English website of the WPO is located at http://www.worldpublicopinion.org, while its Chinese website is located at http://wpo.hkpop.hk which can be accessed via the HKU POP Site at http://hkupop.pori.hk or Hong Kong People's Opinion Platform at http://www.hkpop.hk. WPO will soon release another round of international polling results, including findings from the Greater China Region. Please stay alert.

Abstract

The Public Opinion Programme (POP) at the University of Hong Kong interviewed 1,004 Hong Kong people between 17 and 21 October by means of a random telephone survey conducted by real interviewers. The survey finds that compared to six months ago, the credibility of local media has significantly increased, to a new high after early 1999. People are generally satisfied with the degree of freedom enjoyed by our press, and believe the media has given full play to the freedom of speech. Both figures stay at 75%. However, 60% said the media has misused press freedom, and less than 30% consider the media to be responsible in their reporting. Those who think the media has practiced self-censorship has dropped to 45%, mainly because of their hesitation to criticize the Central Government. On the other hand, our survey also shows that television and newspapers continue to be people's main sources of news, followed by radio and the internet. In terms of satisfaction, television as a news media continues to top the list, followed by radio. People's satisfaction with newspapers is just fair, while their appraisal of magazines remains negative. All in all, half of people are satisfied with the performance of the news media in general, which is significantly lower than their satisfaction with the degree of press freedom. The sampling error of all percentages is below +/-1 to 3 percentage points at 95% confidence level, while the sampling error of all rating figures is +/-0.10 mark. The response rate of the survey is 68%.

Points to note:

* The address of the "HKU POP SITE" is http://hkupop.pori.hk, journalists can check out the details of the survey there.
* The sample size of this survey is 1,004 successful interviews, not 1,004 x 67.7% response rate. In the past, many media made this mistake.
* The maximum sampling error of all approval and disapproval rates is below +/-1 to 3 percentage points at 95% confidence level, while the sampling error of all rating figures is +/-0.10 mark. "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 various ratings not more than +/-0.10 mark and sampling error of percentages not more than +/-3% at 95% confidence level".
* When quoting percentages of this survey, journalists should refrain from reporting decimal places, but when quoting the rating figures, one decimal place can be used, in order to match the precision level of the figures.
* 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 "HKU POP SITE" (http://hkupop.pori.hk) the latest figures of people's appraisal of the local news media. According to our general practice, all figures have been weighted according to the provisional figures obtained from the Census and Statistics Department regarding the gender-age distribution of the Hong Kong population in mid-2008. Herewith the contact information for the latest survey:

Date of survey	Overall sample size	Response rate	Sampling error of percentages*
17-21/10/2008	1,004	67.7%	+/-3%

* 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. Questions using only sub-samples would have bigger sample error. Sampling errors of ratings are calculated according to the distribution of the scores collected.

Recent figures are summarized as follows:

Date of survey	2-10/4/07	2-5/10/07	9-11/4/08	17-21/10/08*	Latest Change
Sample base	1,009	1,008	1,011	1,004	--
Overall response rate	60.6%	65.4%	68.6%	67.7%	--
Credibility rating of the local news media in general	5.94	5.90	6.11	6.29 +/-0.10	+0.18#
Freedom of the press in HK: Satisfaction rate**	65%	70%	73%	75% +/-3%	+2%
Freedom of the press in HK: Dissatisfaction rate**	13%	11%	8%	8% +/-2%	--
Perceived the local news media to be responsible in their reporting**	26%	27%	25%	28% +/-3%	+3%
Perceived the local news media to be irresponsible in their reporting**	43%	35%	29%	26% +/-3%	-3%
Perceived that the local news media had given full play to the freedom of speech	74%	71%	74%	74% +/-3%	--
Perceived that the local news media had not given full play to the freedom of speech	22%	23%	20%	22% +/-3%	+2%
Perceived that the local news media had misused/abused the freedom of press	68%	68%	65%	60% +/-3%	-5%#
Perceived that the local news media had not misused/abused the freedom of press	25%	26%	26%	31% +/-3%	+5%#
Perceived that the local news media had practised self-censorship	50%	48%	48%	44% +/-3%	-4%#
Perceived that the local news media had not practised self-censorship	40%	38%	37%	39% +/-3%	+2%
Perceived that the local news media had scruples when criticizing the HKSAR Government	32%	35%	33%	30% +/-3%	-3%
Perceived that the local news media had no scruples when criticizing the HKSAR Government	64%	62%	62%	65% +/-3%	+3%
Perceived that the local news media had scruples when criticizing the Central Government	61%	64%	62%	61% +/-3%	-1%
Perceived that the local news media had no scruples when criticizing the Central Government	33%	31%	31%	33% +/-3%	+2%

* Sampling errors calculated at "95% confidence level", meaning 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 various ratings not more than +/-0.10, sampling error of percentages not more than +/-3% at 95% confidence level" when quoting the above figures. The error margin of previous survey can be found at the POP Site.
** Collapsed from a 5-point scale.
# 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.

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 6.29 marks. Moreover, 75% of the respondents were satisfied with the freedom of the press in Hong Kong, 28% 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 60% said they had misused or abused the freedom of press. Besides, 44% of the respondents thought the local news media had practised self-censorship while 39% perceived the contrary, 30% thought they had scruples when criticizing the HKSAR Government, whereas 61% 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	23-27/10/06	8-12/6/07^	9-11/4/08^	17-21/10/08*	Latest change
Sample base	1,010	1,016	1,011	1,004	--
Overall response rate	59.9%	69.5%	68.6%	67.7%	--
People's main source of news: Television^^	86% (36%)#	80% (32%)#	81% (33%)	86% (32%) +/-2%	+5%#
People's main source of news: Newspaper^^	72% (30%)#	78% (31%)#	73% (30%)#	74% (28%) +/-3%	+1%
People's main source of news: Radio^^	33% (14%)	32% (13%)	34% (14%)	36% (13%) +/-3%	+2%
People's main source of news: Internet^^	25% (10%)#	33% (13%)#	28% (12%)#	33% (12%) +/-3%	+5%#
People's main source of news: Friends^^	10% (4%)	10% (4%)	9% (4%)	14% (5%) +/-2%	+5%#
Perceived that television was the most trustworthy source	57%	52%	58%	60% +/-3%	+2%
Perceived that newspaper was the most trustworthy source	14%	19%	14%	14% +/-2%	--
Perceived that radio was the most trustworthy source	14%	11%	13%	14% +/-2%	+1%
Perceived that internet was the most trustworthy source	3%	4%	3%	3% +/-1%	--
Perceived that family member was the most trustworthy source	3%	2%	1%	1% +/-1%	--
Satisfaction rate of television**	74%	76%	72%	71% +/-3%	-1%
Dissatisfaction rate of television**	4%	3%	3%	3% +/-1%	--
Satisfaction rate of radio**	54%	60%	56%	53% +/-3%	-3%
Dissatisfaction rate of radio**	5%	6%	5%	4% +/-1%	-1%
Satisfaction rate of newspaper**	31%	32%	28%	34% +/-3%	+6%#
Dissatisfaction rate of newspaper**	20%	16%	21%	16% +/-2%	-5%#
Satisfaction rate of magazine**	6%	7%	6%	8% +/-2%	+2%
Dissatisfaction rate of magazine**	46%	44%	47%	38% +/-3%	-9%#
Satisfaction rate of news media in general**	49%	56%	50%	50% +/-3%	--
Dissatisfaction rate of news media in general **	9%	6%	9%	6% +/-2%	-3%#

* Sampling errors calculated at "95% confidence level", meaning 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 +/-3% at 95% confidence level" when quoting the above figures. The error margin of previous survey can be found at the POP Site.
** Collapsed from a 5-point scale.
^ In 2007, this survey series was conducted once only. Starting April 2008, the survey cycle is changed to once every six months.
# 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.
^^ As respondents can choose more than 1 answer, figures in brackets ( ) indicate percentages of total responses, while other figures indicate percentages of total resopndents. Only figures in brackets have been included in the original release.

Results of the survey also showed that, 86% and 74%* of the respondents claimed their main source of news was the television and the newspaper respectively, while 60% thought the news reported by the former channel was the most trustworthy. Regarding people's appraisal of various news channels, 71% of the respondents were satisfied with the television, whereas 53% were satisfied with the radio. Comparatively speaking, people's satisfaction with the printed media was lower, as the respective satisfaction rates of the newspaper and the magazine were 34% and 8% only. All in all, the latest satisfaction rate of the above news media in general was 50%.

* The percentages of respondents who claimed their main source of news was television and newspaper were 32% and 28% respectively in the original release.

Commentary

Robert Ting-Yiu Chung, Director of Public Opinion Programme, observed, "Our latest survey shows that compared to six months ago, the credibility of local media has significantly increased, to a new high after early 1999. People are generally satisfied with the degree of freedom enjoyed by our press, and believe the media has given full play to the freedom of speech. Both figures stay at 75%. However, 60% said the media has misused press freedom, and less than 30% consider the media to be responsible in their reporting. Those who think the media has practiced self-censorship has dropped to 45%, mainly because of their hesitation to criticize the Central Government. On the other hand, our survey also shows that television and newspapers continue to be people's main sources of news, followed by radio and the internet. In terms of satisfaction, television as a news media continues to top the list, followed by radio. People's satisfaction with newspapers is just fair, while their appraisal of magazines remains negative. All in all, half of people are satisfied with the performance of the news media in general, which is significantly lower than their satisfaction with the degree of press freedom. 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'."

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 October 28, 2008, Tuesday, between 1pm to 2pm, when the latest popularity figures of CE Donald Tsang and the HKSAR Government will be released. Then on October 30, 2008, Thursday, between 1pm to 2pm, POP will release the findings of Policy Address follow-up survey.

POP will also follow the rhythm of the WorldPublicOpinion.org (WPO) to globally release the Chinese versions of WPO's press releases regularly, via our "World Public Opinion Platform" accessible through our POP Site and the "Hong Kong People's Opinion Platform" at http://www.hkpop.hk.

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 from January 2006, we have included in our regular press releases a small educational section for the purpose of general civic education, so that we can share our experience with the general public. The subject of our education section today is "About HKUPOP".

About HKUPOP

People's appraisal of local news media

Since 1993, HKUPOP included people's appraisal of local news media into our tracking surveys as a credibility indicator of the media. The survey has two modules with different sets of questions. The development of the first module was introduced in the press releases dated October 17, 2006, April 17, October 23, 2007 as well as April 15, 2008 while that of the second module has been listed in the press releases of November 9, 2006, June 20, 2007 as well as April 15, 2008. Today, we post the survey's development again, so that readers can refresh such development.

First Module:

Starting from September 1997, our media appraisal surveys were conducted once every month. It was then changed to twice every month in January 1998, until May 2000 when it was changed again to three times every month. From April 2006 to October 2007, its frequency was again changed to once every six months.

Our media appraisal survey firstly asks the respondents to rate the credibility of news media using these wordings: "Please use a scale of 0-10 to rate the credibility of local news media, with 10 indicating absolutely credible, 5 indicating half-half and 0 indicating absolutely not credible. How would you rate the local news media?" They are then asked how satisfied they are with the freedom of speech in Hong Kong, whether they think local news media have given full play to the freedom of speech, have misused/abused the freedom of press, have been responsible in their reporting, have practiced self-censorship, and have scruples when criticizing the HKSAR Government and Central Governments.

Regarding sample size, from the beginning to March 2000, the sample size of the survey was set at slightly over 500. From May 2000 onwards, it was increased to at least 1,000.

Second Module:

In September 1993, our survey series started. The questions mainly focus on different news channels including television, radio, newspaper, magazines and the internet, and the wordings used are "Which of the following channels are your main source of news?", "When there is a conflict of information, which of the following news channels do you trust most?", "Are you satisfied with the performance of XX (respective news channels)?", and "Are you satisfied with the overall performance of the news media?"。 From the beginning to June 1997, surveys were conducted once every two months. It then stopped and replaced by another module of survey, in which the question "Are you satisfied with the performance of newspaper?" was kept in the three surveys of June 1998, September 1998 and September 1999. Later on the module stopped. From October 2000 to October 2006, this module of survey started again and its frequency was changed to once every six months. In June 2007, this module was changed to once every year.

Regarding sample size, from the beginning to June 1997, the sample size of the survey was set at slightly over 500, while beginning from October 2000, it was increased to at least 1,000.

Starting from April 2008, we have combined the two modules into one single survey using the same set of questions from both modules. The survey cycle has been changed to once every six months.

All findings have been published regularly on-line at our HKU POP Site since February 2004, while all previous findings published via our newsletter POP Express have also been uploaded in various formats.