08.06.2011
Citizens' sense of curtailment of freedom of speech in Ukraine: May 2011
- According to a survey conducted by the Rating Group in late May 2011, 41% of respondents feel that freedom of speech in Ukraine has been curtailed since the presidential elections. At the same time, 43% do not feel such a rollback of freedom of speech, while another 17% were unable to give a clear answer. Concern about the restriction of freedom of speech is highest in Western Ukraine at 61%, followed by the Center at 47%, the North at 40% and Donbas at 37%. These perceptions are most common among people of middle age, with relatively higher levels of education and income, and men are more sensitive to this issue than women. In terms of political preferences, this concern is most widespread among supporters of Svoboda, Civic Position and Batkivshchyna, about two thirds of whom believe that freedom of speech is being restricted. Slightly fewer, but still more than half, of Front for Change and Our Ukraine supporters share this view. By contrast, only 14% of Party of Regions supporters perceive negative trends in freedom of speech, although among supporters of other pro-government parties such as the People’s Party, the Communist Party and Strong Ukraine this share is roughly twice as high.
- Overall, according to current public assessments, the situation with freedom of speech in Ukraine has stabilized in recent months. In May 2011 the indicator stood at the same level as in September 2010 at 41%, and was slightly lower than in January 2011, when it reached 46%. However, compared with April 2010 the situation remains worrying. One year earlier, immediately after the presidential elections, only 19% of respondents felt that freedom of speech was being restricted, whereas by May 2011 this share had more than doubled to 41%. Since last September, perceptions of declining freedom of speech have increased only in Donbas, remained almost unchanged in the South, West and Center, and declined in the East and North.
Methodology
- Survey population: residents of Ukraine aged 18 and older.
- Sample size: 2000 respondents.
- Method: face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire.
- Sampling error: for values close to 50% no more than 2.2%, for values close to 30% no more than 2%, for values close to 10% no more than 1.3%, for values close to 5% no more than 1%.
- Fieldwork dates: 26 May – 2 June 2011.
Contact form
Have questions?
Please, fill in the form below and we will reach out to you soon.
