HKPOP today releases findings of popularity of CE and the government, trust and confidence indicators, news media appraisal, corporate social responsibility and Public Sentiment Index (2019-08-27)

Aug 27, 2019
Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute Press Conference – Press Materials

 

HKPOP today releases findings of popularity of CE and the government, trust and confidence indicators, news media appraisal, corporate social responsibility and Public Sentiment Index

Special Announcement

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

Abstract

HKPOP successfully interviewed 1,023 Hong Kong residents by random telephone survey conducted by real interviewers in mid-August. Results show that the popularity rating of CE Carrie Lam now stands at 24.6 marks. Her net popularity is negative 59 percentage points. Both have registered record lows again since she became CE and the former is the lowest among all CEs in history. The latest net satisfaction of the HKSAR Government stands at negative 63 percentage points, an all-time low since records began in 1997. People’s net satisfaction rates with the current economic, livelihood and political conditions are negative 29, negative 54 and negative 83 percentage points. Among them, the net satisfaction rates of livelihood and political conditions both registered their all-time low again since records began in 1992. Regarding people’s trust in governments, the net trust toward the HKSAR Government, the Beijing Central Government and the Taiwan Government are negative 37, negative 40 and negative 12 percentage points. Net trust in the HKSAR Government is at its all-time low since record began in 1992, while net trust in the Beijing Central Government has registered a new record low since 1994. As for the confidence indicators as compared to about half a year ago, people’s net confidence in the future of China is 8 percentage points, an all-time low since record began in 1997. People’s net confidence in Hong Kong’s future is negative 12 percentage points, which remains quite stable, while the net confidence in “one country, two systems” is negative 28 percentage points, also an all-time low since record began in 1993. As for appraisal of news media, people’s satisfaction with the performance of news media in general has improved a lot since half a year ago, with the latest net satisfaction at positive 40 percentage points. People’s net satisfaction with the freedom of the press in Hong Kong now stands at positive 18 percentage points. Besides, on a scale of 0-10, the latest credibility rating of the Hong Kong news media in general is 5.81 marks. The net value of media perceived to have practiced self-censorship has registered an all-time high since record began in 1997, while the net value of media perceived to have misused or abused the freedom of press has registered an all-time low since record began in 1997. As for the survey on corporate social responsibility (CSR), the latest results of the four modules are: Hang Seng Bank is the best local bank and financial services company in CSR with 63.1 marks, Cheung Kong Property is the best local real estate and property development company in CSR with 51.2 marks, 7-Eleven is the best local retail company in CSR with 57.8 marks, McDonald’s is the best local fast food restaurant chain in CSR with 56.8 marks. As for the PSI, the latest figure is 58.0, down by 8.6 points from early August. The effective response rate of the survey is 68.5%. The maximum sampling error of percentages is +/-4%, that of net values is +/-8% and that of ratings is +/-2.4 at 95% confidence level.

Contact Information

Date of survey	:	15-20/8/2019[5]
Survey method	:	Random telephone survey conducted by real interviewers
Target population	:	Cantonese-speaking Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above
Sample size[1]	:	1,023 (including 508 landline and 515 mobile samples)[5]
Effective response rate[2]	:	68.5%[5]
Sampling error[3]	:	Sampling error of percentages not more than +/-4%, that of net values not more than +/-8% and that of ratings not more than +/-2.4 at 95% confidence level
Weighting method[4]	:	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 2018”, while the educational attainment (highest level attended) distribution and economic activity status distribution came from “Women and Men in Hong Kong – Key Statistics (2018 Edition)”.

[1]     The landline and mobile sample ratio was revised to 2 to 1 in April 2018 and further revised to 1 to 1 in July 2019.

[2]     Before September 2017, “overall response rate” was used to report surveys’ contact information. Starting from September 2017, “effective response rate” was used. In July 2018, HKPOP further revised the calculation of effective response rate. Thus, the response rates before and after the change cannot be directly compared.

[3]     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.

[4]     In the past, the mobile sample would be rim-weighted according to the basic Public Sentiment Index (PSI) figures collected in the landline sample. In July 2018, HKPOP further refined the weighting method. The landline sample and the mobile sample would no longer be processed separately. The mobile sample would also no longer be adjusted using the basic PSI figures collected in the landline sample. The overall effect is that the importance of the mobile sample would be increased.

[5]     For the naming stage of the best corporations, the date of survey is 15-16/8/2019, the sample size is 509 (including 254 landline and 255 mobile samples) and the effective response rate is 67.0%. For the rating stage of the best corporations, the date of survey is 19-20/8/2019, the sample size is 513 (including 255 landline and 258 mobile samples) and the effective response rate is 69.8%.

Popularity of CE and the Government

Recent popularity figures of CE Carrie Lam are summarized as follows:

Date of survey	3-6/6/19	17-20/6/19	2-8/7/19	17-19/7/19	1-6/8/19	15-20/8/19	Latest change
Sample size	1,006	1,015	1,025	1,002	1,015	1,023	—
Response rate	60.4%	58.7%	67.4%	59.8%	62.8%	68.5%	—
Latest findings	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding & error	—
Rating of CE Carrie Lam	43.3	32.8[6]	33.4	30.1[6]	27.9	24.6+/-1.9	-3.3[6]
Vote of confidence in CE Carrie Lam	32%	23%[6]	26%	21%[6]	20%	17+/-2%	-3%
Vote of no confidence in CE Carrie Lam	57%	67%[6]	66%	70%[6]	72%	76+/-3%	+5%[6]
Net approval rate	-24%	-44%[6]	-40%	-49%[6]	-51%	-59+/-5%	-8%[6]

[6]     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.

Recent popularity figures of the HKSAR Government as well as people’s appraisal of society’s conditions are summarized as follows:

Date of survey	14-19/3/19	23-25/4/19	20-23/5/19	17-20/6/19	17-19/7/19	15-20/8/19	Latest change
Sample size[7]	1,024	1,031	1,013	1,015	1,002	1,023	—
Response rate	73.1%	66.1%	61.9%	58.7%	59.8%	68.5%	—
Latest findings	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding & error	—
Satisfaction rate of SARG performance[8]	31%	30%	27%	18%[9]	18%	14+/-3%	-4%
Dissatisfaction rate of SARG performance[8]	49%	48%	55%[9]	72%[9]	70%	77+/-3%	+7%[9]
Net satisfaction rate	-18%	-19%	-28%	-53%[9]	-52%	-63+/-6%	-11%[9]
Mean value[8]	2.6	2.6	2.5[9]	2.0[9]	2.0	1.8+/-0.1	-0.2[9]
Current economic condition: Satisfaction rate[8]	35%	33%	36%	31%[9]	28%	25+/-3%	-3%
Current economic condition: Dissatisfaction rate[8]	42%[9]	40%	41%	45%	47%	53+/-3%	+6%[9]
Net satisfaction rate	-7%	-7%	-5%	-14%[9]	-19%	-29+/-5%	-9%[9]
Mean value[8]	2.8	2.8	2.8	2.7[9]	2.6	2.5+/-0.1	-0.1[9]
Current livelihood condition: Satisfaction rate[8]	27%	22%[9]	26%[9]	21%[9]	21%	16+/-2%	-5%[9]
Current livelihood condition: Dissatisfaction rate[8]	54%	59%[9]	56%	62%[9]	64%	69+/-3%	+6%[9]
Net satisfaction rate	-27%	-37%[9]	-30%[9]	-41%[9]	-43%	-54+/-5%	-10%[9]
Mean value[8]	2.5	2.4[9]	2.5[9]	2.3[9]	2.2	2.1+/-0.1	-0.2[9]
Current political condition: Satisfaction rate[8]	17%	17%	13%[9]	7%[9]	5%	5+/-1%	—
Current political condition: Dissatisfaction rate[8]	62%	64%	71%[9]	81%[9]	87%[9]	88+/-2%	+1%
Net satisfaction rate	-45%	-48%	-58%[9]	-74%[9]	-82%[9]	-83+/-3%	-1%
Mean value[8]	2.2	2.1[9]	1.9[9]	1.6[9]	1.5[9]	1.4+/-0.1	-0.1

[7]     The question on the satisfaction of SARG performance only uses sub-samples of the surveys concerned. The sub-sample size for this survey is 635.

[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]     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.

Recent figures regarding people’s trust in the HKSAR Government are summarized as follows:

Date of survey	21-24/1/19	28/2-5/3/19	20-23/5/19	17-20/6/19	17-19/7/19	15-20/8/19	Latest change
Sample size	532	639	686	623	555	632	—
Response rate	59.0%	72.2%	61.9%	58.7%	59.8%	68.5%	—
Latest findings	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding & error	—
Trust in HKSAR Government[10]	44%	34%[11]	36%	28%[11]	29%	27+/-4%	-2%
Distrust in HKSAR Government[10]	37%	46%[11]	50%	60%[11]	60%	64+/-4%	+3%
Net trust	7%	-12%[11]	-14%	-32%[11]	-31%	-37+/-7%	-6%
Mean value[10]	3.0	2.7[11]	2.7	2.4[11]	2.3	2.2+/-0.1	-0.1

[10]  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.

[11]  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 survey shows that the popularity rating of CE Carrie Lam now stands at 24.6 marks. Her approval rate is 17%, disapproval rate 76%, giving a net popularity of negative 59 percentage points. All popularity figures have worsened significantly from two weeks ago, and registered record lows again since she became CE.

Regarding people’s appraisal of the overall performance of the HKSAR Government, the figures have worsened significantly from a month ago. The latest satisfaction rate is 14%, whereas 77% were dissatisfied, thus net satisfaction stands at negative 63 percentage points, an all-time low since records began in 1997. The mean score is 1.8, meaning between “quite dissatisfied” and “very dissatisfied” in general. Regarding people’s trust in the HKSAR Government, 27% of the respondents expressed trust, 64% expressed not trust. The net trust value is negative 37 percentage points, an all-time low since record began in 1992, while the mean score is 2.2, meaning between “half-half” and “quite distrust” in general.

As for people’s satisfaction with the current economic, livelihood and political conditions, the latest satisfaction rates are 25%, 16% and 5% respectively, while their net satisfaction rates in these conditions are negative 29, negative 54 and negative 83 percentage points. The mean scores of the economic and livelihood conditions are 2.5 and 2.1, meaning between “half-half” and “quite dissatisfied” in general. The mean score of the political condition is 1.4, meaning between “quite dissatisfied” and “very dissatisfied” in general. The net satisfaction rates of livelihood and political conditions have again registered all-time low since records began in 1992.

Trust and Confidence Indicators

Recent popularity figures of SAR, Beijing Central and Taiwan Governments and people’s confidence in the future as well as “one country, two systems” are summarized below:

Date of survey	28/2-5/3/19	20-23/5/19	17-20/6/19	17-19/7/19	15-20/8/19	Latest change
Sample size	639	686	623	555	632	—
Response rate	72.2%	61.9%	58.7%	59.8%	68.5%	—
Latest findings	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding & error	—
(Repeated listing)
Trust in HKSAR Government[12]	34%[13]	36%	28%[13]	29%	27+/-4%	-2%
Distrust in HKSAR Government[12]	46%[13]	50%	60%[13]	60%	64+/-4%	+3%
Net trust	-12%[13]	-14%	-32%[13]	-31%	-37+/-7%	-6%
Mean value[12]	2.7[13]	2.7	2.4[13]	2.3	2.2+/-0.1	-0.1

 

Date of survey	3-4/1/18	21-25/5/18	3-6/9/18	28/2-5/3/19	15-20/8/19	Latest change
Sample size	548-632	513-555	515-538	613-674	603-633	—
Response rate	58.3%	55.9%	50.4%	72.2%	68.5%	—
Latest findings	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding & error	—
Trust in Beijing Government[12]	38%	34%	40%[13] [14]	33%[13]	23+/-3%	-10%[13]
Distrust in Beijing Government[12]	45%	48%	40%[13]	48%[13]	63+/-4%	+15%[13]
Net trust	-7%	-14%	0%[13]	-15%[13]	-40+/-7%	-25%[13]
Mean value[12]	2.8	2.7	2.9[13]	2.7[13]	2.2+/-0.1	-0.5[13]
Trust in Taiwan Government[12]	17%	17%	22%	23%	25+/-4%	+2%
Distrust in Taiwan Government[12]	41%	50%[13]	45%	40%	37+/-4%	-2%
Net trust	-25%	-33%[13]	-23%[13] [14]	-17%	-12+/-6%	+4%
Mean value[12]	2.5	2.4	2.5[13] [14]	2.6	2.7+/-0.1	—
Confidence in HK’s future	51%	46%[13]	46%	39%[13]	40+/-4%	—
No-confidence in HK’s future	43%	48%[13]	47%	55%[13]	52+/-4%	-3%
Net confidence	8%[13]	-2%[13]	-1%	-16%[13]	-12+/-8%	+3%
Confidence in China’s future	70%[13]	61%[13]	62%	62%	42+/-4%	-20%[13]
No-confidence in China’s future	25%	31%[13]	31%	32%	50+/-4%	+18%[13]
Net confidence	45%[13]	30%[13]	30%	30%	-8+/-8%	-38%[13]
Confidence in “one country, two systems”	47%	40%[13]	45%	41%	34+/-4%	-8%[13]
No-confidence in “one country, two systems”	47%	54%[13]	49%	55%[13]	62+/-4%	+6%[13]
Net confidence	0%	-14%[13]	-4%	-14%	-28+/-8%	-14%[13]

[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]  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.

[14]  The difference between the figure and the result from the previous survey has gone beyond the sampling error at 95% confidence level because of a change in the weighting method. If the previous weighting method was used, the difference would not have gone beyond the sampling error.

Regarding people’s trust in governments, 27% of the respondents trust the HKSAR Government, 23% trust the Beijing Central Government, and 25% trust the Taiwan Government. The net trust values are negative 37, negative 40 and negative 12 percentage points, while the mean scores of these trust indicators are 2.2, 2.2 and 2.7 respectively, meaning between “half-half” and “quite distrust” in general. People’s trust in the Beijing Central Government has plunged compared to some five months ago. Also, net trust in the HKSAR Government is at all-time low since record began in 1992, while net trust in the Beijing Central Government has registered a record low since 1994.

As for the confidence indicators, people’s confidence in the future of China has also plunged compared to some five months ago, with 42% expressing confidence and net confidence of negative 8 percentage points, an all-time low since record began in 1997. On the other hand, 40% had confidence in Hong Kong’s future. The net confidence is negative 12 percentage points. People’s confidence in “one country, two systems” has also plunged, with 34% expressing confidence and net confidence of negative 28 percentage points, an all-time low since record began in 1993.

People’s Appraisal of News Media

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

Date of survey	3-4/10/17	2-4/4/18	20-22/8/18	21-24/1/19	15-20/8/19	Latest change
Sample size	498-567	549-706	544-593	541-564	548-683	—
Response rate	59.5%	57.9%	53.0%	59.0%	68.5%	—
Latest findings	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding & error	—
People’s main source of news:
Internet	60%	67%[16]	63%	69%[16]	74+/-3%	+4%
Television	79%	74%[16]	70%	65%	66+/-4%	+1%
Newspapers	54%[16]	48%[16]	47%	52%	42+/-4%	-9%[16]
Radio	32%[16]	29%	30%	30%	37+/-4%	+6%[16]
Friends	17%[16]	19%	18%	18%	28+/-4%	+10%[16]
Most trustworthy source of news:
Internet	14%	17%	14%	—	31+/-4%	+17%[16]
Television	38%	32%[16]	33%	—	25+/-4%	-7%[16]
Radio	17%	17%	17%	—	14+/-3%	-3%
Newspapers	15%	14%	16%	—	9+/-2%	-6%[16]
Family members	4%	6%	4%	—	5+/-2%	+1%
Satisfaction rate of radio[15]	54%	61%[16]	56%	—	59+/-4%	+2%
Dissatisfaction rate of radio[15]	14%	13%	15%	—	15+/-3%	+1%
Net satisfaction rate	40%	48%[16]	42%	—	44+/-6%	+2%
Mean value[15]	3.6	3.6	3.5	—	3.6+/-0.1	+0.1
Satisfaction rate of Internet[15]	39%	43%	45%	—	55+/-4%	+10%[16]
Dissatisfaction rate of Internet[15]	20%	21%	21%	—	16+/-3%	-5%[16]
Net satisfaction rate	19%	22%	23%	—	39+/-6%	+15%[16]
Mean value[15]	3.3	3.3	3.3	—	3.6+/-0.1	+0.3[16]
Satisfaction rate of television[15]	53%	52%	54%	—	42+/-4%	-12%[16]
Dissatisfaction rate of television[15]	24%[16]	24%	24%	—	30+/-4%	+5%[16]
Net satisfaction rate	29%[16]	28%	30%	—	13+/-6%	-17%[16]
Mean value[15]	3.3	3.3	3.3	—	3.1+/-0.1	-0.2[16]
Satisfaction rate of newspapers[15]	38%	39%	44%	—	31+/-4%	-13%[16]
Dissatisfaction rate of newspapers[15]	27%	30%	24%[16]	—	31+/-4%	+6%[16]
Net satisfaction rate	11%	9%	19%[16]	—	0+/-6%	-20%[16]
Mean value[15]	3.1	3.0	3.2[16]	—	2.9+/-0.1	-0.3[16]
Satisfaction rate of magazines[15]	13%	19%[16]	15%	—	14+/-3%	-1%
Dissatisfaction rate of magazines[15]	41%[16]	45%	41%	—	34+/-4%	-7%[16]
Net satisfaction rate	-28%[16]	-26%	-26%	—	-20+/-5%	+6%
Mean value[15]	2.5	2.5	2.5	—	2.5+/-0.1	—
Satisfaction rate of news media in general[15]	48%	50%	49%	38%[16]	57+/-4%	+19%[16]
Dissatisfaction rate of news media in general[15]	18%	20%	17%	20%	17+/-3%	-2%
Net satisfaction rate	31%	30%	32%	18%[16]	40+/-7%	+22%[16]
Mean value[15]	3.3	3.3	3.3	3.2[16]	3.4+/-0.1	+0.2[16]
Satisfaction rate of freedom of the press in HK[15]	47%[16]	48%	52%	—	51+/-4%	—
Dissatisfaction rate of freedom of the press in HK[15]	32%	36%	30%[16] [17]	—	33+/-4%	+3%
Net satisfaction rate	15%[16]	12%	22%	—	18+/-8%	-4%
Mean value[15]	3.2	3.1	3.2	—	3.2+/-0.1	—
Perceived that the local news media:
Were responsible in their reporting[15]	30%	25%[16]	29%	—	40+/-4%	+11%[16]
Were irresponsible in their reporting[15]	40%	40%	39%	—	30+/-4%	-9%[16]
Net value	-10%	-15%	-9%	—	10+/-7%	+20%[16]
Mean value[15]	2.8	2.8	2.8	—	3.1+/-0.1	+0.3[16]
Had scruples when criticizing the Central Government	67%[16]	69%	64%	—	60+/-4%	-4%
Had no scruples when criticizing the Central Government	25%[16]	24%	25%	—	32+/-4%	+6%[16]
Net value	41%[16]	45%	39%	—	29+/-7%	-10%[16]
Had scruples when criticizing the HKSAR Government	51%[16]	53%	50%	—	42+/-4%	-8%[16]
Had no scruples when criticizing the HKSAR Government	44%	42%	44%	—	49+/-4%	+5%
Net value	7%[16]	12%	7%	—	-7+/-8%	-14%[16]
Had practiced self-censorship	53%	56%	56%	—	59+/-4%	+4%
Had not practiced self-censorship	33%	30%	29%	—	29+/-4%	—
Net value	20%	26%	27%	—	31+/-7%	+4%
Had given full play to the freedom of speech	52%[16]	47%[16]	53%	—	58+/-4%	+5%
Had not given full play to the freedom of speech	42%[16]	44%	39%[16] [17]	—	34+/-4%	-5%
Net value	10%[16]	3%	14%[16]	—	24+/-8%	+10%
Had misused/ abused the freedom of press	56%[16]	58%	52%[16]	—	46+/-4%	-7%[16]
Had not misused/ abused the freedom of press	33%[16]	32%	38%[16]	—	43+/-4%	+4%
Net value	23%[16]	27%	14%[16]	—	3+/-7%	-11%[16]
Credibility rating of the local news media (0-10)	5.77	5.67	5.89[16] [17]	5.77	5.81+/-0.16	+0.04

[1]     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.

[2]     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.

[3]     The difference between the figure and the result from the previous survey has gone beyond the sampling error at 95% confidence level because of a change in the weighting method. If the previous weighting method was used, the difference would not have gone beyond the sampling error.

Results of the news media survey showed that 74% and 66% of the respondents claimed their main sources of news were internet and television respectively. The former is an all-time high since record began in 2000. Besides, 28% said their main source of news were friends, which is also an all-time high since record began in 2000. As for trustworthiness, 31% and 25% of the respondents found internet and television to be the most trustworthy source of news respectively. The former is an all-time high since record began in 2000, while the latter is an all-time low since record began in 1993. Meanwhile, 9% found newspapers to be the most trustworthy, also an all-time low since record began in 1993.

As for people’s appraisal of the performance of various types of news media, the satisfaction rates of radio, internet, television, newspapers and magazines as news media are 59%, 55%, 42%, 31% and 14% respectively, while net satisfactions are positive 44, positive 39, positive 13, zero and negative 20 percentage points respectively. Net satisfaction toward internet is at all-time high since record began in 2000, that toward television is at all-time low since record began in 1993, while those toward newspapers and magazines are at record low since 2002 and record high since 2001 respectively. Overall speaking, people’s satisfaction with the performance of news media in general has improved a lot. The latest satisfaction rate is 57%, net satisfaction at positive 40 percentage points, and the mean value is 3.4, meaning between “half-half” and “quite satisfied” in general.

Results also showed that 51% of the respondents were satisfied with the freedom of the press in Hong Kong while 33% were dissatisfied, net satisfaction at positive 18 percentage points. The mean value is 3.2, which is in between “half-half” and “quite satisfied”. 40% perceived the local news media to be responsible in their reporting, 30% regarded the local news media as irresponsible, giving a net value of positive 10 percentage points. The mean value is 3.1, meaning close to “half-half”. 60% thought the local news media had scruples when criticizing the Central Government, with a net value of positive 29 percentage points. 42% thought they had scruples when criticizing the HKSAR Government, net value at negative 7 percentage points. 59% of the respondents thought the local news media had practiced self-censorship while 29% perceived the contrary, giving a net value of positive 31 percentage points. 58% believed the local news media had given full play to the freedom of speech, net value at positive 24 percentage points, but at the same time 46% said they had misused or abused the freedom of press, net value at positive 3 percentage points. Besides, on a scale of 0-10, the latest credibility rating of the Hong Kong news media in general is 5.81 marks. The net value of media perceived to have practiced self-censorship has registered an all-time high since record began in 1997, while the net value of media perceived to have misused or abused the freedom of press has registered an all-time low since record began in 1997.

Corporate Social Responsibility

The survey series on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) aims to gauge the public image of different commercial organizations in order to encourage them to become ethical companies and select the best corporations. There are a total of six modules under this survey series, namely, 1) Public Transportation, 2) Telecommunication, 3) Banks and Financial Services, 4) Real Estate and Property Development, 5) Retail, and 6) Fast Food Restaurant.

The surveys were conducted in two stages. In the first stage naming survey, respondents were requested to nominate, unprompted, at most five relevant corporations that they were most familiar with. The three most frequently cited names would enter the next stage. During the second stage rating survey, respondents would be asked to rate the CSR performance for each of the shortlisted corporations using a 0-100 scale, in which 0 indicates extremely poor performance, 100 indicates extremely good performance, and 50 means half-half.

Banks and Financial Services Companies

In the naming survey, the banks and financial services companies mentioned most frequently were HSBC, Bank of China and Hang Seng Bank. The latest ratings of these corporations are summarized as follows:

Date of survey	16-18/5/17	12-13/9/17	5-6/3/18	15-19/11/18	19-20/8/19	Latest change
Sample size	521	621[18]	501	545	513	—
Response rate	69.9%	68.8%	57.7%	67.9%	69.8%	—
Latest findings	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding & error	—
Hang Seng Bank	67.5[19]	63.0[19]	62.8	64.5	63.1+/-1.7	-1.4
HSBC	63.0[19]	61.2[19]	60.6	62.9	58.9+/-1.7	-4.0[19]
Bank of China	61.2[19]	56.1[19]	57.4	59.3	48.1+/-2.3	-11.3[19]

[4]     The mobile sample was not included when survey results were released. The figures in the table above have been updated to reflect the results based on the combined landline and mobile sample. However, whether changes have gone beyond sampling errors is still determined based on the figures in the first release.

[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 survey showed that Hang Seng Bank was considered as having the best CSR reputation among local banks and financial services companies, scored 63.1 marks, while HSBC and Bank of China scored 58.9 and 48.1 marks respectively.

Real Estate and Property Development Companies

In the naming survey, the real estate and property development companies mentioned most frequently were Sun Hung Kai Properties, Cheung Kong Property and Henderson Land Development. The latest ratings of these corporations are summarized as follows:

Date of survey	16-18/5/17	16-18/10/17	18-19/4/18	21-24/1/19	19-20/8/19	Latest change
Sample size	521	546	503	519	513	—
Response rate	69.9%	63.0%	56.7%	59.0%	69.8%	—
Latest findings	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding & error	—
Cheung Kong Property	54.4[20]	49.8[20]	50.3	47.9	51.2+/-2.2	+3.3[20]
Henderson Land Development	56.6	52.0[20]	50.7	48.8	49.2+/-2.3	+0.3
Sun Hung Kai Properties	57.7[20]	52.1[20]	48.4[20]	49.6	47.6+/-2.4	-2.0

[6]     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 survey showed that Cheung Kong Property was considered as having the best CSR reputation among local real estate and property development companies, scored 51.2 marks, while Henderson Land Development and Sun Hung Kai Properties scored 49.2 and 47.6 marks respectively.

Retail Companies

In the naming survey, the retail companies mentioned most frequently were ParknShop, Wellcome and 7-Eleven. The latest ratings of these corporations are summarized as follows:

Date of survey	7-8/6/17	8-9/11/17	8-9/5/18[21]	14-19/3/19	19-20/8/19	Latest change
Sample size	505	504	511	565	513	—
Response rate	68.7%	56.1%	60.7%	73.1%	69.8%	—
Latest findings	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding & error	—
7-Eleven	54.4[22]	57.0[22]	57.7	55.9	57.8+/-1.8	+1.9
Wellcome	53.1[22]	56.0[22]	57.0	55.7	56.9+/-1.7	+1.2
ParknShop	51.8[22]	55.1[22]	55.8	53.8	54.7+/-1.6	+1.0

[7]     The original figures were mistaken, they are hereby corrected.

[8]     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 survey showed that 7-Eleven was considered as having the best CSR reputation among local retail companies, scored 57.8 marks, while Wellcome and ParknShop scored 56.9 and 54.7 marks respectively.

Fast Food Restaurant Chains

In the naming survey, the fast food restaurant chains mentioned most frequently were Café de Coral, Fairwood and McDonald’s. The latest ratings of these corporations are summarized as follows:

Date of survey	7-8/6/17	6/12/17	6-7/6/18	20-23/5/19	19-20/8/19	Latest change
Sample size	505	502	502	687	513	—
Response rate	68.7%	59.9%	56.0%	61.9%	69.8%	—
Latest findings	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding	Finding & error	—
McDonald’s	53.7[23]	55.7	58.2[23]	56.8	56.8+/-1.8	—
Fairwood	55.1[23]	55.5	57.1	55.9	56.4+/-1.7	+0.5
Café de Coral	53.1[23]	53.2	57.3[23]	55.1[23]	55.6+/-1.7	+0.5

[9]     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 survey showed that McDonald’s was considered as having the best CSR reputation among local fast food restaurant chains, scored 56.8 marks, while Fairwood and Café de Coral scored 56.4 and 55.6 marks respectively.

Public Sentiment Index

The Public Sentiment Index (PSI) compiled by HKPOP aims at quantifying Hong Kong people’s sentiments, in order to explain and predict the likelihood of collective behaviour. PSI comprises 2 components: one being Government Appraisal (GA) Score and the other being Society Appraisal (SA) Score. GA refers to people’s appraisal of society’s governance while SA refers to people’s appraisal of the social environment. Both GA and SA scores are compiled from a respective of 4 and 6 opinion survey figures. All PSI, GA and SA scores range between 0 to 200, with 100 meaning normal.

The chart of PSI, GA and SA are shown below:

Latest figure	Public Sentiment Index (PSI): 58.0 (-8.6)	Government Appraisal (GA): 56.5 (-6.9)	Society Appraisal (SA): 61.1 (-8.5)

Recent values of PSI, GA, SA and 10 fundamental figures are tabulated as follows:

Cut-off date	9/6/19	23/6/19	8/7/19	19/7/19	6/8/19	20/8/19	Latest change
Public Sentiment Index (PSI)	89.1	71.5	71.9	67.4	66.6	58.0	-8.6
Government Appraisal (GA)	85.0	67.2	67.9	64.8	63.4	56.5	-6.9
Rating of CE	43.3	32.8	33.4	30.1	27.9	24.6	-3.3
Net approval rate of CE	-24%	-44%	-40%	-49%	-51%	-59%	-8%
Mean value of people’s satisfaction with SARG	2.5[24]	2.0	2.0[24]	2.0	2.0[24]	1.8	-0.2
Mean value of people’s trust in SARG	2.7[24]	2.4	2.4[24]	2.3	2.3[24]	2.2	-0.1
Society Appraisal (SA)	88.3[24]	74.5	74.5[24]	69.6	69.6[24]	61.1	-8.5
People’s satisfaction with political condition	1.9[24]	1.6	1.6[24]	1.5	1.5[24]	1.4	-0.1
Weighting index of political condition	0.30[24]	0.32	0.32[24]	0.32[24]	0.32[24]	0.32[24]	—
People’s satisfaction with economic condition	2.8[24]	2.7	2.7[24]	2.6	2.6[24]	2.5	-0.1
Weighting index of economic condition	0.34[24]	0.34	0.34[24]	0.34[24]	0.34[24]	0.34[24]	—
People’s satisfaction with livelihood condition	2.5[24]	2.3	2.3[24]	2.2	2.2[24]	2.1	-0.2
Weighting index of livelihood condition	0.35[24]	0.35	0.35[24]	0.35[24]	0.35[24]	0.35[24]	—

[1]     HKPOP will adopt the latest published figures when there are no respective updates.

As for the meaning of the score values, please refer to the following:

Score value	Percentile	Score value	Percentile
140-200	Highest 1%	0-60	Lowest 1%
125	Highest 5%	75	Lowest 5%
120	Highest 10%	80	Lowest 10%
110	Highest 25%	90	Lowest 25%
100 being normal level, meaning half above half below

The latest PSI stands at 58.0, down by 8.6 points from early August. It can be considered as among the worst 1% across the past 20 years or so. Among the two component scores of PSI, the Government Appraisal (GA) Score that reflects people’s appraisal of society’s governance goes down by 6.9 points to 56.5, whereas the Society Appraisal (SA) Score that reflects people’s appraisal of the social environment decreases by 8.5 points to 61.1. They can both be considered as among the worst 1% and have registered all-time lows since record began in 1992.

Opinion Daily

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

For the polling items covered in this press release, the earliest previous survey was conducted from 20 to 22 August, 2018 while this survey was conducted from 15 to 20 August, 2019. 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.

20/8/19	Carrie Lam announces the government would set up a platform for dialogue with Hong Kong citizens.
18/8/19	The Civil Human Rights Front announces that around 1.7 million people participated in the rally against the extradition bill.
17/8/19	The pro-establishment camp organizes a “Safeguard Hong Kong” rally at Tamar Park.
16/8/19	Cathay Pacific CEO and the chief customer and commercial officer resign.
15/8/19	The government announces a series of relief measures, which will cost $19.1 billion.
13/8/19	Protest against extradition bill at Hong Kong International Airport turns into a conflict between protestors and the police.
12/8/19	Anti-extradition bill protesters hold a demonstration at Hong Kong International Airport.
11/8/19	Protests and conflicts between protestors and the police occur in multiple districts in Hong Kong.
10/8/19	Protests and conflicts between protestors and the police occur in multiple districts in Hong Kong.
9/8/19	Carrie Lam says protests would affect Hong Kong’s economy.
9/8/19	The Civil Aviation Administration of China issues a warning of major aviation safety risks to Cathay Pacific.
8/8/19	22 countries issue travel alert against Hong Kong.
7/8/19	The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office and the Liaison Office hold a seminar regarding the anti-extradition bill movement.
6/8/19	The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office holds a press conference regarding the anti-extradition bill movement.
5/8/19	Rallies in multiple districts in Hong Kong are held during strike resulting in conflicts between protestors and the police.
4/8/19	Protests and conflicts between protestors and the police occur in multiple districts in Hong Kong.
3/8/19	Protests and conflicts between protestors and the police occur in multiple districts in Hong Kong.
30/7/19	44 people are charged with rioting in the conflict in Central and Sheung Wan.
29/7/19	The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office holds a press conference regarding the anti-extradition bill movement.
28/7/19	Protest against police violence on Hong Kong Island turns into a conflict between protestors and the police.
27/7/19	The “Reclaim Yuen Long” march turns into a conflict between protestors and the police.
22/7/19	Men dressed in white indiscriminately attacked citizens in Yuen Long last night.
21/7/19	Anti-extradition bill protesters surround the Liaison Office.
20/7/19	The police seizes 2kg of high explosives TATP.
20/7/19	The pro-establishment camp organizes a “Safeguard Hong Kong” rally at Tamar Park.
14/7/19	Protest against extradition bill in Shatin turns into a conflict between protestors and the police.
13/7/19	Protest against parallel trading in Sheung Shui turns into a conflict between protestors and the police.
11/7/19	Director of the Liaison Office Wang Zhimin says the central government supports Carrie Lam’s governance.
9/7/19	Carrie Lam says the extradition bill is “dead”.
7/7/19	Anti-extradition bill protesters rally in Kowloon.
1/7/19	Anti-extradition bill protesters occupy the Legislative Council Complex.
30/6/19	Junius Ho and Politihk Social Strategic organize a rally in support of the police force.
28/6/19	G20 leaders’ summit begins in Japan.
24/6/19	Anti-extradition bill protesters block the Revenue Tower and Immigration Tower.
21/6/19	Anti-extradition bill protesters surround police headquarters and several government buildings.
18/6/19	Carrie Lam apologizes to the people regarding the extradition bill controversies.
17/6/19	Commissioner of Police Stephen Lo says he did not mean the entire conflict on June 12 was a riot.
16/6/19	The Civil Human Rights Front announces that around two million people participated in the protest against the extradition bill.
15/6/19	Carrie Lam announces the suspension of the extradition bill.
12/6/19	The police uses tear gas rounds, beanbag shots and rubber bullets as anti-extradition bill sit-ins turn into a conflict between protesters and the police.
11/6/19	Protesters plan to surround the Legislative Council Complex as the second reading of the extradition bill will be resumed tomorrow.
9/6/19	The Civil Human Rights Front announces that around 1.03 million people participated in the protest against the extradition bill.

Data Analysis

Our latest survey shows that the popularity rating of CE Carrie Lam now stands at 24.6 marks. Her net popularity is negative 59 percentage points. Both have registered record lows again since she became CE and the former is the lowest among all CEs in history. The latest net satisfaction of the HKSAR Government stands at negative 63 percentage points, an all-time low since records began in 1997. People’s net satisfaction rates with the current economic, livelihood and political conditions are negative 29, negative 54 and negative 83 percentage points. Among them, the net satisfaction rates of livelihood and political conditions both registered their all-time low again since records began in 1992.

Regarding people’s trust in governments, the net trust toward the HKSAR Government, the Beijing Central Government and the Taiwan Government are negative 37, negative 40 and negative 12 percentage points. Net trust in the HKSAR Government is at its all-time low since record began in 1992, while net trust in the Beijing Central Government has registered a new record low since 1994. As for the confidence indicators as compared to about half a year ago, people’s net confidence in the future of China is 8 percentage points, an all-time low since record began in 1997. People’s net confidence in Hong Kong’s future is negative 12 percentage points, which remains quite stable, while the net confidence in “one country, two systems” is negative 28 percentage points, also an all-time low since record began in 1993.

As for appraisal of news media, people’s satisfaction with the performance of news media in general has improved a lot since half a year ago, with the latest net satisfaction at positive 40 percentage points. People’s net satisfaction with the freedom of the press in Hong Kong now stands at positive 18 percentage points. Besides, on a scale of 0-10, the latest credibility rating of the Hong Kong news media in general is 5.81 marks. The net value of media perceived to have practiced self-censorship has registered an all-time high since record began in 1997, while the net value of media perceived to have misused or abused the freedom of press has registered an all-time low since record began in 1997.

As for the survey on corporate social responsibility (CSR), the latest results of the four modules are: Hang Seng Bank is the best local bank and financial services company in CSR with 63.1 marks, Cheung Kong Property is the best local real estate and property development company in CSR with 51.2 marks, 7-Eleven is the best local retail company in CSR with 57.8 marks, McDonald’s is the best local fast food restaurant chain in CSR with 56.8 marks.

As for the PSI, the latest figure is 58.0, down by 8.6 points from early August.