[Public Opinion Briefing Vol. 28-1] 81% of Global Citizens Value Press Freedom

[Public Opinion Briefing Vol. 28] "An Analysis of International Perceptions on Press Freedom by Issue"

[Topic 1] Global Perceptions of Press Freedom

[Topic 2] Analysis of Perceptions on Three Major Issues Related to Press Freedom

[Topic 3] South Korean Perceptions of Press Freedom

Topic 1. Global Perceptions of Press Freedom

Eight out of ten global citizens agree on the importance of press freedom (81%)

* 18,122 respondents from 20 countries across 5 continents: 81% agree on press freedom, with 52% stating it is "very important" and 29% stating it is "somewhat important."

* Agreement is high in developed countries like the U.S. and UK, and in 3rd-wave democratization countries such as South Korea and Latin American nations, as well as in China.

* Perceived importance of press freedom is lower in Islamic countries, newly independent CIS nations, and India.

To commemorate International Press Freedom Day on May 3rd, WPO (World Public Opinion) releases the survey results on press freedom from 18,122 respondents in 20 countries. In South Korea, the East Asia Institute (EAI, President Suk-Jong Lee, Professor at Sungkyunkwan University) and the Kyunghyang Shinmun participated. The survey results indicate that eight out of ten global citizens perceive press freedom as important (very important + somewhat important). Notably, over half (52%) of all respondents answered that realizing press freedom is a "very important issue," demonstrating a high level of perceived importance for press freedom and independence.

By country, agreement on the importance of press freedom was high in 1st-wave democratic nations such as the UK (88%) and the U.S. (88%), as well as in 3rd-wave democratization countries like Peru (96%), Mexico (94%), Argentina (94%), and South Korea (93%). It is noteworthy that even in China, where economic liberalization and openness are deepening but caution remains regarding political liberalization, 85% (58% "very important" + 27% "somewhat important") recognized the importance of realizing press freedom.

In Islamic countries such as Turkey (74%), Indonesia (73%), and Iran (64%), CIS countries that gained independence from the former Soviet Union like Ukraine (74%) and Russia (64%), and India (52%), the agreement on the importance of press freedom was relatively weaker.

However, considering that in these countries as well, the response that press freedom is important exceeds the response that it is not important, it can be interpreted that the value of press freedom is spreading globally across different systems, religions, and regions. [Figure 1]

[Figure 1] Agreement on the Importance of Press Freedom (%)

Note 1: Percentage of respondents selecting 3 (somewhat important) or 4 (very important) out of 1 (not important at all), 2 (not very important), 3 (somewhat important), 4 (very important).

Note 2: Not surveyed in Poland.

Perceptions of domestic press freedom levels are relatively lukewarm

* Among all respondents, only 30% answered "press freedom is very well guaranteed," and 41% answered "somewhat guaranteed."

* Only three Western countries had over half of respondents stating "very well guaranteed": UK 71%, U.S. 66%, France 50%.

* Only 29% in India, 28% in Indonesia, 27% in South Korea, and 12% in China answered "press freedom is very well guaranteed."

In contrast to the high global consensus on the importance of press freedom, perceptions of the situation in one's own country were relatively negative. On average, only 30% of all respondents answered that it is "very well guaranteed," while 41% answered that it is "somewhat guaranteed." "Not very well guaranteed" was 19%, and "not guaranteed at all" was 5%.

In countries that have led modern democracy, such as the UK, U.S., and France, positive evaluations dominate, with citizens believing press freedom is very well enjoyed. 71% of British citizens, 66% of U.S. citizens, and 50% of French citizens hold a very positive view of their country's press freedom levels.

However, in other countries, lukewarm evaluations such as "somewhat guaranteed" are more common. The proportion of those who believe press freedom is "very well guaranteed" falls below 30%. Particularly in non-Western democracies, including Asian countries, CIS nations, and Islamic countries, or in countries distant from political democratization, only a minority of respondents expressed satisfaction with the state of press freedom. Only 29% in India, 28% in Indonesia, 27% in South Korea, and 12% in China responded positively about their country's press freedom situation. Among CIS countries that left the former Soviet Union and joined the ranks of political liberalization in the 1990s, such as Russia (25%), Ukraine (18%), and Azerbaijan (14%), the satisfaction with their country's press freedom level was very low.

[Figure 2] Evaluation of Domestic Press Freedom Levels

Note 1: Combined percentage of respondents selecting 1 (very well guaranteed) or 2 (somewhat guaranteed) out of 1 (very well guaranteed), 2 (somewhat guaranteed), 3 (not very well guaranteed), 4 (not guaranteed at all).

Note 2: Not surveyed in Poland, Argentina, Peru.





Lukewarm evaluations of press freedom lead to demands for its expansion

* Countries with high satisfaction regarding domestic press freedom do not feel the need for expansion:

"Press freedom should be expanded" responses were only 25% in the U.S., 25% in the UK, and 43% in France.

* In Mexico (75%), China (66%), South Korea (65%), and Indonesia (53%), where lukewarm evaluations were given, a majority responded that press freedom should be expanded.

* Islamic countries, India, and Russia showed lukewarm evaluations of their own situations but did not expect significant changes.

The survey results indicate that policy attitudes toward press freedom vary depending on whether one evaluates their country's press freedom highly or lowly. In the U.S., UK, and France, where the response that press freedom is "very well guaranteed" was high, the proportion answering "press freedom should be expanded" was 25%, 25%, and 43%, respectively.

Conversely, in Mexico (75%), China (66%), South Korea (65%), and Indonesia (53%), which gave lukewarm evaluations of their domestic press freedom levels, a majority of respondents answered that press freedom should be expanded. In contrast, responses advocating for "maintaining the status quo" or "reduction" were far from a majority in these countries. Among CIS countries, Azerbaijan showed a high proportion (57%) of respondents advocating for the expansion of press freedom.

In countries actively pursuing press freedom expansion policies, dissatisfaction with the current level of press freedom is relatively high, increasing the potential for social pressure demanding its guarantee. This is particularly noteworthy in China, where the high level of media control maintained by the Communist Party and authorities is increasingly likely to clash with the high expectations for press freedom among the populace.

However, among countries with lukewarm evaluations of their domestic press freedom, some CIS countries like Russia and Ukraine, and some Islamic countries like Iran and Turkey, did not show strong social pressure for the expansion of press freedom. This suggests that it may take a considerable latent period before issues of media control become prominent and are resolved in these countries.

[Figure 3] Stance on Press Freedom Policy: "Should Be Expanded" (%)

Note 1: Percentage of respondents selecting option 1 ("Press freedom should be expanded") out of 1 (Press freedom should be expanded), 2 (Should be reduced), 3 (Maintain status quo).

Note 2: Not surveyed in Argentina, Poland.