Public confidence in Hong Kong’s press freedom has sunk to its lowest point since October 2006, according to a survey conducted by the University of Hong Kong Public Opinion Programme (HKUPOP).

HKUPOP interviewed 1,012 Hong Kong people between 19 and 22 September 2016 through random telephone calls, and found that the latest credibility rating was 5.66 on a scale of one to 10. Net satisfaction stood at seven percentage points.

hong kong journalists association press freedom
Photo: HKFP.

The rate of dissatisfaction with freedom of the press in Hong Kong was at 39 per cent, a six per cent rise from the last survey conducted in April.

See also: CY Leung denies his legal threats against Apple Daily affect Hong Kong’s press freedom

Net satisfaction rates with television fell nine percent to 26 per cent, reaching a new low since December 1993, while the net satisfaction rate with newspapers fell 10 per cent to 4 per cent.

press freedom
Photo: HKUPOP.

The net satisfaction rate with news media in general fell 16 per cent, reaching a new low of 23 per cent since September 1993, while 49 per cent of respondents also believed that Hong Kong news outlets practice self-censorship, while 31 per cent did not.

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Chantal Yuen is a Hong Kong journalist interested in issues dealing with religion and immigration. She majored in German and minored in Middle Eastern studies at Princeton University.