How the same ComRes sample wanted both statutory media regulation AND a press not restricted by legally binding rules
Confused state of public opinon ahead of Leveson? Apparently contradictory findings from ComRes bit.ly/Y7DzLa twitter.com/MSmithsonPB/st…
— Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) November 29, 2012
Whatever side you are on there’s something for you in this poll
A ComRes online poll for ITV News overnight neatly sums up the dilemma over press regulation. Look at the chart above.
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When asked “In light of the Leveson Inquiry the Government should introduce statutory regulation of the media” those in the ComRes sample agreed by 51% to 20%. So emphatic support for control? Perhaps not.
When asked a couple of questions later whether they agreed with the statement “It is very important for British democracy that a free press is not restricted by legally binding rules and regulations” the pollster found that 42% said they did to 29% who said they didn’t.
The wording of the questions in both cases, I would suggest, is leading but in different directions. The first is prefaced by reminding respondents of the Leveson inquiry while the second has the phrasing about the need for a free press in a democracy.
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What this demonstrates are the limitations of polling and why you need to look at all aspects very closely.
No doubt the debate will start at lunch-time when the 2000 page report is published.
Mike Smithson
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