Q. And where do you get your news on an average weekend?

 The most commonly used news sources on weekends are commercial TV news (59%), newspapers (50%) and internet news sites (42%). Respondents were more likely to read newspapers on weekends than weekdays (42% weekdays/50% weekends) but less likely to view commercial TV news (64%/59%) or internet news sites (55%/42%).

Respondents aged 55+ were more likely to use commercial TV news (65%), newspapers (61%), and ABC TV news (46%). Comments »

Q. Please rate your level of trust in the news and information from each source.

 The most trusted news sources were ABC TV news (82%), ABC radio news (78%) and SBS TV news (78%).

The least trustworthy were internet blogs (57% seldom/no trust), newspapers (29%), commercial radio news (27%) and commercial TV news (26%).

Women were more likely than men to trust commercial TV news (75%/62%), newspapers (68%/63%) and commercial radio news (68%/55%). Comments »

Q. Thinking about Australian industries and the ways in which the Government can give them assistance and support – which forms of assistance and support do you think the Government should give to the following industries? (multi-response)

More than three-quarters of respondents are in favour of Government assistance and support for agriculture and renewable energy industries. 45% believe that agriculture should receive protection from overseas competition and 56% support direct grants and subsidies for renewable energy.

About two-thirds are in favour of Government support for car and other manufacturing industries – especially protection from overseas competition.

Media (21%) and banking and finance (25%) are thought to be least deserving of Government support.

By voting intention Liberal/National voters were a little more likely to favour Government support for agriculture (87%) and mining (44%). Comments »

Q. James Packer recently bought a major shareholding in Channel 10. Should James Packer be allowed to become a major shareholder in Channel 10 while he is also a major shareholder in Foxtel?

 Nearly half either don’t care or don’t know whether James Packer should be allowed to become a majority shareholder in Channel 10. Of those with an opinion, views are split 28% should be allowed and 24% should not. 36% of those on low incomes (under $600pw) think he should not be allowed. Comments »

Q. Rupert Murdoch owns most of Australia’s metropolitan newspapers including the Australian, Herald Sun, the Telegraph and the Courier Mail. Should the Government allow one company to own the majority of Australia’s major newspapers?

 50% think Rupert Murdoch should not be allowed to own the majority of Australia’s major newspapers and only 15% think he should be allowed. Those most strongly opposed were aged 55+ (61%) and people earning over $1,600pw (55%). Comments »

Q. How much trust do you have in the news and current affairs on the following TV channels?

42% say they have a lot of trust in the ABC news and current affairs and 42% have some trust. Only 9% have not much trust.

Levels of trust in the free-to-air commercial channels are similar – less than 10% have a lot of trust and over 30% say they have not much trust in them.

Sky News is trusted more than the other commercial channels – 12% say they have a lot of trust and only 17% have not much trust.

Highest levels of trust in the ABC are shown by men (47% a lot of trust), Greens voters (62%) and Labor voters (48%) and those on income over $1,600pw (49%). Comments »

First Published on The Punch 21/09/2010

Sometimes a response to a polling question comes along that makes you re-evaluate your preconceived ideas, where the public’s refusal to confirm your gut instincts forces you to have a fresh look at the evidence before you.

Spot the popular people in this photo. Pic: Gary Ramage

Asking people to cast stones at the media’s reporting of the federal election seemed like a simple enough exercise, the public would confirm the media did a poor job and we could all wring our hands about democracy once again denied.

But hold the presses. Something is amiss. Fewer than a quarter of respondents to the Essential Report join the party.  One third rate the coverage at election time ‘good’, a further 40 per cent ‘average’. And far more say the media ‘gave fair coverage of all parties’ than thought they favoured a particular side.

Comments »

Q. How much influence do you think the following groups have on the policies of Australian political parties?

About half the respondents believed that the media (53%) and banks (50%) have too much influence on the policies of Australian political parties.

40% believed that business lobby groups, mining companies and unions have too much influence.

Only 25% thought environmental groups have too much influence and 29% think they have not enough influence.

There were substantial differences by party preference on the influence of business lobby groups (Labor 52% too much, Lib/Nat 28%), unions (26%/61%), and mining companies (57%/26%). However, there was little difference on the perceived influence of the media (Labor 57% too much, Lib/Nat 56%) and banks (53%/51%). Comments »