45% of Filipinos think it’s risky to print, air stories critical of Duterte admin

A dubbing technician works in the ABS-CBN Media Management Room where all local and international news materials are sent to. This photo was taken in May 2020. (File photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Nearly half of adult Filipinos — or 45% — believe it’s dangerous to publish or broadcast stories critical of the Duterte administration, according to a recent survey of the Social Weather Stations  (SWS).

The survey, which was conducted on June 23 to 26, asked respondents if they agreed that it would be dangerous to publicize anything critical of the administration — “even if it is the truth.”

According to SWS, 28% were undecided and 25% disagreed.

This is equivalent to a net agreement of 18+ which SWS classified as “moderate.”

Meanwhile, 45% of the respondents said they could say anything they wanted, openly and without fear, even if it would be against President Rodrigo Duterte, while 27% were undecided and 27% disagreed.

This is also “moderate” with a net agreement of +18, SWS said.

The net agreement on the danger in publishing stories critical of Duterte was highest in Metro Manila with +28 followed by the Visayas with +22, Balance Luzon with +21, and Mindanao with +12.

The net agreement score on the danger in publishing things critical of the administration was highest among college graduates with +37, followed by junior high with +17, elementary with +19, and non-elementary with +14.

The SWS used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults nationwide for the survey — 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

The polling body said its sampling error margins are ±3% for national percentages and ±6% for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

ATM