“Sputnik” daily omnibus survey suggests that the opinion of the head of the state is important to Russians, and they would like to know the opinion of the Russian leader directly, rather than through the media.
MOSCOW, February 9, 2017. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a survey describing the communication channels Russians use to become aware of the president’s opinion.
An overwhelming majority of Russians would like to know Vladimir Putin’s standpoint regarding the most important social, economic and other aspects of life in Russia: 64% want to know the opinion of the Russian leader on all topics; 28% - on certain aspects. Those who are interested more are mainly representatives of the older generations.
Given that more than half of Russians (58%) consider the views and statements of the president transmitted by journalists to be inaccurate or incomplete, and at the same time public need to be aware of the president’s standpoint is still strong, the direct communication channels are in demand. Thus, more than two-quarters of respondents (69%) opt for the Direct Line format or press conferences involving the Russian leader. Twenty-nine percent of respondents would like to find out about the president’s opinion on various issues from the media reports.
President’s website and social media are chosen by 29% of Russians. Compared to the sample mean, this share is higher among persons aged 18-24 (45%), residents of Moscow and St Petersburg (35%), social media users (37%). “Sputnik” daily omnibus survey suggests that the number of the Russian Internet users is 74%; the most popular social networking website is VKontakte (49% of Internet users).
The VCIOM survey was conducted on January 30-31, 2017, using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia, and involved 1200 respondents. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 3.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Are you personally interested (or not interested) to know the opinion of V.Putin on different aspects of life in Russia? | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | 60 and over |
I am interested to know his opinion on any aspect | 64 | 31 | 54 | 54 | 71 | 84 |
I am interested to know his opinion on certain aspects | 28 | 57 | 35 | 37 | 25 | 10 |
I am not interested to know his opinion on any aspect | 6 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 3 | 3 |
Don't know | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
We find out about Putin’s opinion on different issues from the media. In your opinion, do journalists convey the president’s opinion accurately and comprehensively, or are there something they omit, misunderstand or are silent about? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||
| Total respondents | A Just Russia party | Supporters of LDPR | Supporters of CPRF | Supporters of United Russia party | Supporters of non-parliamentary parties |
Journalists convey Putin’s opinion accurately and comprehensively | 33 | 38 | 24 | 36 | 38 | 26 |
Journalists are silent about certain things, omit and misunderstand something when they try to convey the Putin’s opinion | 58 | 51 | 70 | 58 | 55 | 66 |
Don't know | 9 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
From where do you get Putin’s opinion on different issues? | |||
| Total respondents | Those who use social media | Those who do not use social media |
Directly from the president via the Direct line, or different press conferences | 69 | 69 | 65 |
From the media reports | 29 | 27 | 30 |
Directly from the president via social media, presidential website | 29 | 37 | 18 |
I do not want to know Putin’s opinion | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Don't know | 2 | 1 | 5 |
Do you use the Internet; if yes, how often? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | 60 and over |
I spend more than 4 hours a day online/ I go online every day and spend online less than 4 hours a day | 57 | 94 | 84 | 70 | 45 | 25 |
Several times a week/ a month / | 17 | 5 | 12 | 20 | 26 | 17 |
I do not use it | 25 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 28 | 58 |
Don't know | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Do you use social media? If yes, which social media do you use? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % of those who use the Internet) | ||||||||
| Total respondents | Men | Women | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | 60 and over |
VKontakte | 49 | 45 | 52 | 92 | 66 | 44 | 31 | 23 |
Odnoklassniki | 46 | 36 | 55 | 24 | 48 | 46 | 49 | 54 |
26 | 22 | 29 | 31 | 37 | 27 | 20 | 9 | |
17 | 14 | 20 | 59 | 24 | 10 | 8 | 1 | |
15 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 9 | 8 | |
Other (specify) | 13 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 10 |
I do not use social media | 21 | 26 | 17 | 1 | 13 | 22 | 31 | 35 |
Don't know | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!