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World divided over value of free press
LONDON: The world is divided over the
issue of the importance accorded to press freedom, with not everyone
sharing the Western notion that it is crucial for a free society, a
new poll has said.
The survey, covering 14 countries, also found that confidence in
media reporting varies widely, with the Russian press along with
British and US media among the least trusted while countries like
India and Kenya score strongly.
While overall 56 per cent believe media freedom is very important
for a free society, 40 per cent think social harmony is more
important, even if reporting suffers, said the survey by the
GlobeScan polling institute. "While people generally support a free
media, the Western view of the necessity of a free press to ensure a
fair society is not universally shared across all regions of the
world," said GlobeScan head Doug Miller. Confidence in honest and
accurate reporting is roughly the same for public and private news
providers on average --although in some countries there is
particular concern over private media concentration.
For example a large majority in Brazil (80 per cent), Mexico (76 per
cent), the United States (74 per cent), and Britain (71 per cent)
say the concentration of media ownership is a concern because of the
risk of political bias.
In general confidence in accurate reporting is lowest in Western
developed countries, such as
Germany (28 per cent), Britain (29 per cent) and the United States
(29 per cent) -- although Russia fares even worse on 27 per cent.
At the other end of the scale are countries like Nigeria (58 per
cent), Kenya (61 per cent), India (61 per cent) and the United Arab
Emirates (52 per cent).
The poll, which was based on questioning of 11,344 people in October
and November, was commissioned as part of celebrations for the BBC
World Service's 75th anniversary.
12 December, 2007
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