MOSCOW, June 19, 2009. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data describing whether Russians know about the presidential decree that aims to set up commission to prevent falsification of history; how they assess this action, and which events of national history they think need to be protected against falsification and distortion.
41% of Russians are aware of the creation of a presidential commission to counteract against attempts to falsify history: 10% are well aware of that, 31% heard something about that. Those who have the greatest awareness are metropolitan residents (49%), respondents with high level education (54%) and supporters of democrats (72%). Simultaneously, more than half of respondents have known about that for the first time from the interviewer (57%). As a rule, they are rural area residents (63%), Russians with low level of education (75%) and election absentees (63%).
The creation of the commission is assessed positively by Russians. The majority of Russians who are aware of the creation of commission assess positively this measure and consider this action to be timely (78%). Most of those who have such opinion are residents of all types of settlements (80-82%), and rarer respondents residing in Moscow and Saint Petersburg (58%). Supporters of "United Russia" and CPRF also approve this idea (85% and 81% respectively). Only 10% of Russians think that presidential commission is an instrument of political struggle which will lead to restrictions on freedom of expression and will interfere with the work of historians. The share of such respondents is twice higher than the share of Muscovites and St.Petersburgians (20%) and LDPR supporters (20%). 13% were undecided.
The World War II needs first to be protected against falsification - 34% of respondents say. Other historical events are less mentioned: the Great October Revolution (6%), Civil War, modern wars (Chechen War, conflict in South Ossetia), USSR history and Soviet times (3% for each), repression of the 1930s, Holodomor in Ukraine, Perstroika and leaders of the Soviet Union (2% for each), Afghan War, Tsar`s family shooting and Nicholas II rule (1% for each). However, 12% report that none of historical events need to be protected against falsification and distortion. 37% were undecided.
The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on June 6-7, 2009.
1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia.
The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
President Dmitry Medvedev has recently set up commission to counteract against attempts to falsify history. Have you heard about that? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Type of settlement | ||||
Moscow & St.Petersburg | More than 500thousand | 100-500 thousand | Less than 100 | rural area | ||
I am well aware of that | 10 | 22 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 7 |
I have heard something about that | 31 | 27 | 34 | 31 | 31 | 28 |
I hear for the first time | 57 | 47 | 55 | 55 | 58 | 63 |
hard to tell | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
How would you assess the creation of the commission? (close-ended question, one answer, % of those who are aware of the creation of the commission) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Political parties supporters | ||||
United Russia | CPRF | LDPR | Fair Russia | Democrats (Pravoe Delo + Yabloko) | ||
The creation of commission is a timely measure; Russian history needs to be protected against falsification and distortion at home and abroad, and issues should be handled by the state. | 78 | 85 | 81 | 70 | 75 | 69 |
The presidential commission is an instrument of political struggle which will lead to restriction on freedom of expression, "hunting for witches", and will interfere with the work of honest historians | 10 | 5 | 10 | 20 | 13 | 31 |
hard to tell | 13 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 0 |
Which events of the national history need to be protected against recent falsifications and distortions most? (open-ended question, not more than three answers) | |
WWII (Great Patriotic War) | 34 |
Great October Revolution | 6 |
Civil War | 3 |
modern wars (Chechen war, Georgian-Ossetian conflict) | 3 |
USSR history and Soviet times | 3 |
repression of the 1930s | 2 |
Holodomor in Ukraine | 2 |
Perestroika | 2 |
Soviet leaders and their role in the national history (Lenin, Stalin, Brezhnev, Gorbachev, Eltsin | 2 |
Afghan war | 1 |
Tsar`s family shooting, Nicholaus II rule | 1 |
all historical events need to be protected | 6 |
none | 12 |
other | 2 |
hard to tell | 37 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or www.wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM,
the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!