Most of Russians do not plan ahead to watch the televised debates of State Duma candidates, however, they accept that such programs help better understand candidates’ personalities and their political programs.
MOSCOW, August 23, 2016. Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) presents the data of the survey describing whether Russians are interested in the TV debates; what kind of conversation they would like to hear.
Political talk shows attract the attention of Russians: 59% of them watch them in varying degrees; however, only 17% watch them regularly. Those who favor them are mainly older generation respondents (32% of persons aged 60 and over), whereas young respondents appear not interested (65% of young respondents who do not watch this kind of TV programs; 56% of those aged 25-34).
The share of Russians who will watch live debates of the State Duma candidates intentionally is 19%; a further 8% will watch recorded programs and their episodes in the Internet. Generally, a potential debate TV audience can reach 74% (including those who unintentionally come across the debates when switching the channels).
At the same time, 42% of respodnents say that televised debates help better understand the candidate’s political program and decide who to vote for. Every fifth Russian considers that the debates are popular because they help to “have the finger on the political pulse” (21%) or just because they are interesting (18%). According to the majority of Russians, debates help the electorate get to know the candidates (72%) as well as their political programs (62%) better.
Respondents are mainly interested in such issues as foreign (21%) and social (18%) policies and economy (18%).
The VCIOM survey was carried out on July 30-31, 2016, using stratified dual-frame random sample based on the complete list of telephone numbers operating in Russia, and involved 1600 respondents. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error with 95% confidence interval does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the field work can introduce bias into the survey.
Today there are many political talk shows such as “Poedinok”, “Pravo golosa”et cet., where participants are engaged in disputes and debate. Do you watch similar programs or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and more | |
Yes, I watch them often | 17 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 22 | 32 | |
Yes, I watch them sometimes | 42 | 32 | 40 | 40 | 45 | 45 | |
I rarely watch them | 41 | 65 | 56 | 50 | 33 | 23 | |
Don’t know | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
In your opinion, why do people watch televised debates between candidates for State Duma deputies? (open-ended question, not more than three answers, answers mentioned by at least 1% of respondents) | ||
| Total respondents | |
To know the candidate’s position, his/her program / to make a choice | 42 | |
To keep up with the developments /to keep up with politics | 21 | |
Interesting/as an entertainment | 18 | |
Hoping for a better life | 4 | |
Interesting to know what they will promise to us | 3 | |
Interesting statements of politicians | 3 | |
Truth is sprout in discussions | 2 | |
I like scandals | 2 | |
People want to know answers to their questions | 1 | |
They support certain parties | 1 | |
Other | 1 | |
Don’t know | 19 | |
In your opinion, are televised debates helpful…? (closed-ended question, one answer per each line, %) | ||||||
| Definitely yes | Rather yes | Rather no | Definitely no | Don’t know | |
In drawing up an opinion about leaders, political parties’ members; in understanding what kind of people they are | 22 | 50 | 16 | 9 | 3 | |
In shedding light on the objectives and missions of the parties participating in elections | 15 | 47 | 22 | 11 | 5 | |
Are you going to watch the televised debates in the near future? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Moscow and St.Petersburg | Million cities | More than 500 ths | 100–500 ths | Less than 100 ths | Rural area |
Yes, I am planning to watch the televised debates; I will try to find out the broadcasting time and date in advance | 19 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
I will watch the televised debates if I suddenly come across them when switching the channels; I will not look for them intentionally | 24 | 19 | 21 | 30 | 26 | 21 | 27 |
I will watch the televised debates if I suddenly come across them, given that there is nothing more interesting on the TV at that moment (or until something interesting starts) | 23 | 25 | 22 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 21 |
I will watch the debate episodes in the Internet | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 6 |
I will not watch them, even if I suddenly come across them | 24 | 30 | 37 | 24 | 27 | 23 | 16 |
Don’t know | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
If you watched televised debates, which political topics were you interested in? (open-ended question, not more than three answers, answers mentioned by at least 1% of respondents) | ||
| Total respondents | |
Foreign policy/relations with other states | 21 | |
Economy | 18 | |
Social policy | 18 | |
Human well-being /salary | 13 | |
Pension | 12 | |
Education | 12 | |
Health care system | 11 | |
Price increase / inflation | 8 | |
Agriculture/cattle breeding | 7 | |
Housing and utilities sector/capital repairs | 5 | |
Urban and rural development/ development of regions | 5 | |
Automobile topic: roads / taxes/gasoline | 5 | |
Country’s security /military conflicts | 4 | |
Unemployment | 4 | |
Housing | 3 | |
Future of Russian citizens / country | 3 | |
Children topic: kindergartens / benefits | 3 | |
Industry | 3 | |
Sport development | 2 | |
Flight for power/elections | 2 | |
Corruption | 2 | |
Business | 2 | |
Army | 2 | |
Ecology | 1 | |
Youth development | 1 | |
Culture | 1 | |
Inactivity/authorities’ lawlessness | 1 | |
Taxation | 1 | |
Import/export | 1 | |
Adopted laws | 1 | |
Development of science and technology | 1 | |
Food quality | 1 | |
Migration | 1 | |
None | 1 | |
All topics | 1 | |
Other | 3 | |
Don’t know | 18 | |
Note: Using materials from the websites 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.