POP releases people’s appraisal of news media (2021-04-07)

April 7, 2021
Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute Press Conference – Press Materials

Detailed Findings

POP releases people’s appraisal of news media

Special Announcement

The predecessor of Hong Kong Public Opinion Program (HKPOP) was The Public Opinion Programme at The University of Hong Kong (HKUPOP). “POP” in this release can refer to HKPOP or its predecessor HKUPOP.

Abstract

POP successfully interviewed 1,010 Hong Kong residents by a random telephone survey conducted by real interviewers in late March. Our survey shows that among various types of news media, the internet and television remain to be people’s main sources of news. Among them, the percentages of people using television and newspaper as their main sources of news have registered an all-time low since record began in 1993. People’s satisfaction with the performance of news media in general continues to plunge. The latest net satisfaction is positive 8 percentage points, an all-time low since record began in 1993. Net satisfaction toward radio has plummeted by 21 percentage points and registered an all-time low again since record began in 1993. Net satisfaction with the freedom of the press in Hong Kong has recovered significantly to negative 13 percentage points. But the net value of people believing the local news media to have given full play to the freedom of speech is at positive 1 percentage point, an all-time low again since record began in 1997. Meanwhile, the net value of people perceiving the local news media to be responsible in their reporting is at negative 17 percentage points, registering a record low since 2007. The net value of people who thought the local news media had scruples when criticizing the HKSAR Government is at positive 24 percentage points, a surge of 20 percentage points since March last year and registering an all-time high since record began in 1997. Lastly, on a scale of 0-10, the credibility rating of the Hong Kong news media is 5.08 marks, also an all-time low since record began in 1997. The effective response rate of the survey is 56.8%. The maximum sampling error of percentages is +/-4%, that of net values is +/-8% and that of ratings is +/-0.16 at 95% confidence level.

Contact Information

Date of survey	:	22-25/3/2021
Survey method	:	Random telephone survey conducted by real interviewers
Target population	:	Cantonese-speaking Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above
Sample size[1]	:	1,010 (including 507 landline and 503 mobile samples)
Effective response rate	:	56.8%
Sampling error[2]	:	Sampling error of percentages not more than +/-4%, that of net values not more than +/-8% and that of ratings not more than +/-0.16 at 95% conf. level
Weighting method	:	Rim-weighted according to figures provided by the Census and Statistics Department. The gender-age distribution of the Hong Kong population came from “Mid-year population for 2019”, while the educational attainment (highest level attended) distribution and economic activity status distribution came from “Women and Men in Hong Kong – Key Statistics (2019 Edition)”.

[1]This figure is the total sample size of the survey. Some questions may only involve a subsample, the size of which can be found in the tables below.

[2]All error figures in this release are calculated at 95% confidence level. “95% confidence level” means that if we were to repeat a certain survey 100 times with different random samples, we would expect 95 times having the population parameter within the respective error margins calculated. Because of sampling errors, when quoting percentages, journalists should refrain from reporting decimal places, whereas one decimal place can be used when quoting rating figures.

Latest Figures

Latest results of the news media survey are tabulated as follows:

Date of survey	21-24/1/19	15-20/8/19	2-3/3/20	25/9-8/10/20	22-25/3/21	Latest change
Sample size[3]	541-564	548-683	503	1,006	542-658	—
Response rate	59.0%	68.5%	64.0%	57.9%	56.8%	—
Latest findings	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding & error	—
People’s main source of news:
Internet	69%[5]	74%	76%	70%[5]	70+/-4%	—
Television	65%	66%	68%	66%	64+/-4%	-2%
Newspapers	52%	42%[5]	38%	37%	37+/-4%	—
Radio	30%	37%[5]	40%	27%[5]	29+/-4%	+2%
Friends	18%	28%[5]	27%	18%[5]	22+/-3%	+3%
Most trustworthy source of news:
Internet	—	31%[5]	29%	28%	30+/-4%	+2%
Television	—	25%[5]	29%	29%	26+/-4%	-3%
Newspapers	—	9%[5]	10%	12%	14+/-3%	+2%
Radio	—	14%	17%	9%[5]	12+/-3%	+4%[5]
Family members	—	5%	4%	4%	5+/-2%	+2%
Satisfaction rate of Internet[4]	—	55%[5]	47%[5]	—	41+/-4%	-6%[5]
Dissatisfaction rate of Internet[4]	—	16%[5]	14%	—	19+/-3%	+5%[5]
Net satisfaction rate	—	39%[5]	33%	—	22+/-6%	-11%[5]
Mean value[4]	—	3.6[5]	3.5	—	3.3+/-0.1	-0.2[5]
Satisfaction rate of radio[4]	—	59%	52%[5]	—	38+/-4%	-14%[5]
Dissatisfaction rate of radio[4]	—	15%	17%	—	24+/-3%	+7%[5]
Net satisfaction rate	—	44%	35%	—	14+/-6%	-21%[5]
Mean value[4]	—	3.6	3.5	—	3.1+/-0.1	-0.3[5]
Satisfaction rate of television[4]	—	42%[5]	36%[5]	—	36+/-4%	+1%
Dissatisfaction rate of television[4]	—	30%[5]	31%	—	29+/-4%	-2%
Net satisfaction rate	—	13%[5]	5%	—	7+/-7%	+3%
Mean value[4]	—	3.1[5]	2.9[5]	—	3.0+/-0.1	+0.1
Satisfaction rate of newspapers[4]	—	31%[5]	28%	—	26+/-4%	-2%
Dissatisfaction rate of newspapers[4]	—	31%[5]	28%	—	26+/-4%	-2%
Net satisfaction rate	—	0%[5]	0%	—	1+/-6%	—
Mean value[4]	—	2.9[5]	3.0	—	2.9+/-0.1	—
Satisfaction rate of magazines[4]	—	14%	10%[5]	—	12+/-3%	+3%
Dissatisfaction rate of magazines[4]	—	34%[5]	36%	—	32+/-4%	-3%
Net satisfaction rate	—	-20%	-26%	—	-20+/-5%	+6%
Mean value[4]	—	2.5	2.4	—	2.5+/-0.1	+0.1
Satisfaction rate of news media in general[4]	38%[5]	57%[5]	45%[5]	—	35+/-4%	-10%[5]
Dissatisfaction rate of news media in general[4]	20%	17%	19%	—	27+/-4%	+8%[5]
Net satisfaction rate	18%[5]	40%[5]	27%[5]	—	8+/-6%	-18%[5]
Mean value[4]	3.2[5]	3.4[5]	3.3[5]	—	3.0+/-0.1	-0.2[5]
Satisfaction rate of freedom of the press in HK[4]	—	51%	33%[5]	29%	35+/-4%	+6%[5]
Dissatisfaction rate of freedom of the press in HK[4]	—	33%	54%[5]	54%	48+/-4%	-6%[5]
Net satisfaction rate	—	18%	-21%[5]	-25%	-13+/-8%	+13%[5]
Mean value[4]	—	3.2	2.6[5]	2.5	2.7+/-0.1	+0.2[5]
Perceived that the local news media:
Were responsible in their reporting[4]	—	40%[5]	28%[5]	19%[5]	24+/-3%	+4%[5]
Were irresponsible in their reporting[4]	—	30%[5]	36%[5]	35%	41+/-4%	+5%[5]
Net value	—	10%[5]	-8%[5]	-16%	-17+/-6%	-1%
Mean value[4]	—	3.1[5]	2.8[5]	2.7	2.7+/-0.1	—
Had scruples when criticizing the Central Government	—	60%	63%	—	66+/-4%	+3%
Had no scruples when criticizing the Central Government	—	32%[5]	29%	—	24+/-4%	-4%
Net value	—	29%[5]	34%	—	42+/-7%	+7%
Had scruples when criticizing the HKSAR Government	—	42%[5]	49%[5]	—	58+/-4%	+10%[5]
Had no scruples when criticizing the HKSAR Government	—	49%	45%	—	34+/-4%	-11%[5]
Net value	—	-7%[5]	4%	—	24+/-7%	+20%[5]
Had practiced self-censorship	—	59%	56%	50%[5]	53+/-4%	+2%
Had not practiced self-censorship	—	29%	33%	30%	31+/-4%	+1%
Net value	—	31%	23%	20%	22+/-8%	+2%
Had given full play to the freedom of speech	—	58%	50%[5]	—	46+/-4%	-4%
Had not given full play to the freedom of speech	—	34%	41%[5]	—	45+/-4%	+3%
Net value	—	24%	9%[5]	—	1+/-8%	-7%
Had misused/ abused the freedom of press	—	46%[5]	48%	—	47+/-4%	-1%
Had not misused/ abused the freedom of press	—	43%	41%	—	39+/-4%	-2%
Net value	—	3%[5]	8%	—	8+/-7%	+1%
Credibility rating of the local news media (0-10)	5.77	5.81	5.49[5]	5.14[5]	5.08+/-0.16	-0.07

[3]Before March 2020, weighted count was used to report subsample size. Starting from March 2020, raw count was used instead.

[4]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.

[5]The difference between the figure and the result from the previous survey has gone beyond the sampling error at 95% confidence level, meaning that the change is statistically significant prima facie. However, whether the difference is statistically significant is not the same as whether they are practically useful or meaningful, and different weighting methods could have been applied in different surveys.

Our latest news media survey results show that 70% and 64% of the respondents claimed their main sources of news were internet and television respectively. The latter registers an all-time low since record began in 1993. Besides, 37% and 29% respectively said their main sources of news were newspapers and radio. The former also registers an all-time low since record began in 1993. As for trustworthiness, 30% and 26% of the respondents respectively found internet and television to be the most trustworthy source of news. All figures above have not changed much compared to last October.

As for people’s appraisal of the performance of various types of news media, the satisfaction rates of internet, radio, television, newspapers and magazines as news media are 41%, 38%, 36%, 26% and 12% respectively, while net satisfactions are positive 22, positive 14, positive 7, positive 1 and negative 20 percentage points respectively. Net satisfactions toward both internet and radio have significantly dropped compared to one year ago. The latter’s drop is even as large as 21 percentage points and registers an all-time low again since record began in 1993. Overall speaking, people’s satisfaction with the performance of news media in general continues to plunge. The latest satisfaction rate is 35%, net satisfaction at positive 8 percentage points, both figures have dropped beyond sampling errors, and register all-time lows since record began in 1993. The mean value is 3.0, meaning close to “half-half” in general.

Results also show that 35% of the respondents were satisfied with the freedom of the press in Hong Kong while 48% were dissatisfied, net satisfaction has thus recovered significantly since October last year to negative 13 percentage points. The mean value is 2.7, meaning between “half-half” and “quite dissatisfied” in general. 46% believed the local news media had given full play to the freedom of speech, net value at positive 1 percentage point, an all-time low since record began in 1997. But at the same time, 47% said they had misused or abused the freedom of press, net value at positive 8 percentage points.

Meanwhile, 24% perceived the local news media to be responsible in their reporting, 41% regarded the local news media as irresponsible, giving a net value of negative 17 percentage points, registering a record low since 2007. The mean value is 2.7, meaning between “half-half” and “quite irresponsible” in general.

Besides, 66% thought the local news media had scruples when criticizing the Central Government, with a net value of positive 42 percentage points. 58% thought they had scruples when criticizing the HKSAR Government, net value at positive 24 percentage points, a surge of 20 percentage points since March last year and registering an all-time high since record began in 1997. In addition, 53% of the respondents thought the local news media had practiced self-censorship while 31% perceived the contrary, giving a net value of positive 22 percentage points.

Lastly, on a scale of 0-10, the credibility rating of the Hong Kong news media is 5.08 marks, a slight drop from last October, but registers an all-time low since record began in 1997.

Opinion Daily

In 2007, POP started collaborating with Wisers Information Limited whereby Wisers supplies to POP a record of significant events of that day according to the research method designed by POP. These daily entries would then become “Opinion Daily” after they are verified by POP.

For the polling items covered in this press release, the previous survey was conducted from 25 September to 8 October, 2020 while this survey was conducted from 22 to 25 March, 2021. During this period, herewith the significant events selected from counting newspaper headlines and commentaries on a daily basis and covered by at least 25% of the local newspaper articles. Readers can make their own judgment if these significant events have any impacts to different polling figures.

24/3/21	The government halts BioNTech vaccination because of packaging defects.
11/3/21	The National People’s Congress passes bill on amending Hong Kong’s electoral system.
8/3/21	A male of age 71 dies after taking the Sinovac vaccine.
6/3/21	A female of age 55 dies after taking the Sinovac vaccine.
3/3/21	Expert committee finds no link between Sinovac vaccine and the death of the male aged 63.
2/3/21	A male of age 63 dies after taking the Sinovac vaccine.
1/3/21	The court reviews 47 democrats’ bail application overnight.
28/2/21	47 democrats are charged with “conspiracy to commit subversion”.
24/2/21	Financial Secretary Paul Chan delivers the Budget.
23/2/21	The government proposes amendments to laws to regulate oath-taking by public officers, compiling a negative list of behaviours, violators of which will be disqualified.
22/2/21	Xia Baolong says the Central Government will change the electoral system in Hong Kong to make sure it will be “patriots ruling Hong Kong”.
19/2/21	The government releases the Governance and Management of RTHK Review Report, and announces that Li Pak-chuen will replace Leung Ka-wing as the Director of Broadcasting.
18/2/21	Sinovac vaccines arrive in Hong Kong. The government announces the vaccination plan.
16/2/21	The government lifts the dine-in ban during nighttime, but customers will need to use the “LeaveHomeSafe” app or register.
9/2/21	The Court of Final Appeal sets aside the High Court’s decision to grant bail to Jimmy Lai.
2/2/21	The government continues to lock down multiple areas for compulsory testing and says officials may break into flats.
1/2/21	The government locks down multiple areas for compulsory testing and lowers the threshold of imposing lockdowns.
29/1/21	The British government announces details of migration using BNO visa; the Chinese and Hong Kong governments announce they will no longer recognise BNO passports.
23/1/21	The government locks down designated areas in Jordan for compulsory testing.
15/1/21	Mandatory testing is ordered for residents of 20 buildings in Yau Ma Tei.
6/1/21	Police arrests 53 democrats involved in the pro-democracy primaries who allegedly violated the national security law.
31/12/20	The Court of Final Appeal grants leave to appeal to the Department of Justice. Jimmy Lai is remanded in custody.
30/12/20	Ten among the 12 Hong Kong people case are sentenced to 7 months to 3 years in prison, while two minors are transferred to Hong Kong.
28/12/20	Mandatory testing is ordered after coronavirus is detected in the sewage from a building.
25/12/20	Jimmy Lai is granted bail, but barred from leaving home, giving interviews and publishing articles.
23/12/20	The government sets up indemnity fund for vaccine and lets citizens choose which type of vaccine to take.
21/12/20	New strains of COVID-19 virus are found in the UK. The Hong Kong government bans passenger flights from the UK.
12/12/20	Jimmy Lai is additionally charged with “collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security”.
8/12/20	The government tightens anti-epidemic measures again and empower authorities to impose lockdown and mandatory testing.
3/12/20	Jimmy Lai is denied bail and remanded in custody.
2/12/20	Former Demosistō member Joshua Wong, Ivan Lam and Agnes Chow are sentenced to 7 to 13.5 months in prison.
30/11/20	The government tightens anti-epidemic measures and sets up a hotline for reporting violations.
26/11/20	The Education Bureau introduces reforms to liberal studies.
25/11/20	Carrie Lam delivers her Policy Address.
24/11/20	The government tightens anti-epidemic measures and orders public venues to display QR codes for “Leave Home Safe”.
21/11/20	Police arrests 3 people including an online radio host who allegedly violated the national security law by providing financial assistance to secession.
19/11/20	The High Court rules that police officers not displaying their identification numbers violated the Bill of Rights.
14/11/20	The government tightens anti-epidemic measures and imposes mandatory testing.
11/11/20	NPCSC disqualifies 4 democrats in LegCo.
1/11/20	Police arrests 6 democrats who allegedly violated the LegCo Powers and Privileges Ordinance.
31/10/20	Seven defendants accused of rioting on 31 August 2019 are found not guilty.
12/10/20	Carrie Lam postpones Policy Address.
10/10/20	Police arrests 9 people on suspicion of helping the 12 Hong Kong people now being detained in Shenzhen flee Hong Kong.
6/10/20	The Education Bureau deregisters a primary school teacher for professional misconduct.
1/10/20	Police arrests at least 86 protesters in various districts including Causeway Bay.
29/9/20	Democrats announce survey results on whether Legislative Councillors should stay or go.

Data Analysis

Our survey shows that among various types of news media, the internet and television remain to be people’s main sources of news. Among them, the percentages of people using television and newspaper as their main sources of news have registered an all-time low since record began in 1993.

People’s satisfaction with the performance of news media in general continues to plunge. The latest net satisfaction is positive 8 percentage points, an all-time low since record began in 1993. Net satisfaction toward radio has plummeted by 21 percentage points and registered an all-time low again since record began in 1993.

Net satisfaction with the freedom of the press in Hong Kong has recovered significantly to negative 13 percentage points. But the net value of people believing the local news media to have given full play to the freedom of speech is at positive 1 percentage point, an all-time low again since record began in 1997. Meanwhile, the net value of people perceiving the local news media to be responsible in their reporting is at negative 17 percentage points, registering a record low since 2007.

The net value of people who thought the local news media had scruples when criticizing the HKSAR Government is at positive 24 percentage points, a surge of 20 percentage points since March last year and registering an all-time high since record began in 1997.

Lastly, on a scale of 0-10, the credibility rating of the Hong Kong news media is 5.08 marks, also an all-time low since record began in 1997.

Detailed Findings