VTsIOM found out the attitude of Russians towards state media censorship – Kommersant

VTsIOM conducted a survey and found out the attitude of Russian residents towards state censorship of the media. The majority of Russians surveyed support censorship and consider it a way to maintain order in society. Opponents of censorship point to the need to keep information objective and truthful.

The VTsIOM study was conducted in the format of a telephone interview. 1.6 thousand people over 18 years old took part in it. The question was closed (you could choose one of the answers proposed by sociologists).

According to the survey results, 24% of respondents said that state censorship of the media is “certainly necessary,” while 39% believe that it is “rather necessary.” At the same time, 13% of Russians surveyed called state media censorship “certainly unnecessary,” and another 17% expressed the opinion that it was “rather unnecessary.” VTsIOM experts noted that 15 years ago (2008 survey), 58% of Russians were supporters of censorship, 24% were opponents.

As arguments, supporters of media censorship cite ensuring stability and order in society, preventing panic and protection from unreliable information. Russians who oppose media censorship more often explain their position by saying that information must be truthful and objective in order to form public opinion.

VTsIOM also compiled a portrait of a typical Russian who supports state censorship of the media. According to experts, this is a woman over 45 years old who lives in a small town or village. A typical Russian who does not support state censorship of the media is a man under 35 years old, living in one of the capitals, a city with a population of over a million, or a large city. Supporters of censorship most often receive information through TV, while opponents receive information through the Internet.