Headline findings of a survey of the public conducted on behalf of PLAN January
Methodology Note ComRes interviewed GB adults online between th and th January. Data were weighted to be representative demographically of all GB adults. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. (If percentages do not add to 0% this is due to rounding) Guidelines for the public use of survey results ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules (www.britishpollingcouncil.org). This commits us to the highest standards of transparency. The BPC s rules state that all data and research findings made on the basis of surveys conducted by member organisations that enter the public domain, must include reference to the following: The company conducting the research (ComRes) The client commissioning the survey Dates of interviewing Method of obtaining the interviews (e.g. inperson, post, telephone, internet) The universe effectively represented (all adults, voters etc) The percentages upon which conclusions are based Size of the sample and geographic coverage. Published references (such as a press release) should also show a web address where full data tables may be viewed, and they should also show the complete wording of questions upon which any data that has entered the public domain are based. All press releases or other publications must be checked with ComRes before use. ComRes requires hours to check a press release unless otherwise agreed.
Results Media coverage of humanitarian disasters In the last year, of people recall seeing coverage of humanitarian disasters on the television; recall seeing coverage in newspapers; and have heard coverage on the radio. A quarter of people () recall coverage of humanitarian disasters through charity advertising. Just do not recall coverage of humanitarian disasters in the last year. The earthquake in Haiti is most likely to be recalled. Indeed, 0% of people recall having seen or heard Haiti earthquake coverage. Interestingly, this is more than those who remember coverage of both the current Australian floods (%) and the current cholera epidemic in Haiti (). One in three people () recall a charity fundraising appeal specifically for children affected by disasters. The age group is consistently behind on recalling media coverage of humanitarian disasters (for example only recall Haiti earthquake coverage, compared to 0% of the whole population). Views towards media coverage of children in disasters When asked about media coverage of children in disasters, compared to other victims, of people think that there is too much coverage, % think there is too little coverage and the majority,, say that the level is about right. Similarly, of people think that voluntary organisations and charities receive about the right amount of coverage for their work in tackling humanitarian disasters. However, think they receive too much and % think they receive too little. Generally speaking reporting of humanitarian disasters is seen to be neutral. The table below shows the proportion of people who think coverage of each of these was positive, negative or neutral. Haiti earthquake Pakistan floods Children in Haiti Children in Pakistan Positive Neutral Negative % Spend on humanitarian aid While believe that coverage was neutral, about a quarter describe media coverage of how money is spent on disasters as negative () and a quarter as positive (). Those aged and over are most likely to think that the coverage was negative (%).
Agree Disagree News coverage of humanitarian disasters is generally fair and neutral I find media coverage of children affected by disasters particularly compelling I am likely to donate to appeals from charities following natural disasters I find media coverage of humanitarian disasters distressing and I try to avoid it I find media coverage focused on an individual or family most compelling, particularly when the story is revisited later Media coverage of humanitarian disasters is often too sentimental or sensationalist, when it should simply report the facts % Action taken in response to media coverage of humanitarian disasters of people said they were not prompted to take any action due to media coverage. However, of people donated money in response; of people discussed the issues with others; and watched a documentary or read an article. Women are significantly more likely to have been prompted to make a donation as a result of media coverage than men, with two in four () saying they had donated compared to just of men. If they had donated to a charity, people were asked if they had received any communication regarding how their money was being spent. of people did not hear anything about how their money was spent. Of the % of people who received a communication regarding their donation of this correspondence was personalised, was a general communication and received a thank you response. ComRes January
Table Q. Thinking about the last year, where have you seen or heard coverage about humanitarian disasters overseas (e.g. earthquakes or floods)? Page Total Male Female C C2 land Yorks & Hum 'side Wales ern Public 2 0 Television 2 2 % 0% 0% 0% 2 0% 2 2 2 % 0 0% Newspapers 2 2 % 2 0% % 2 2 % % 0% 0 % 2 Radio 2 2 % 0 Charity advertising (e.g. posters, flyers etc) 2 2 2 Social Media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter etc) % 2 % 0 2 Other 0 0 None of these 2 % 2
Table 2 Q2. Which of the following issues or events, if any, do you recall seeing or hearing about in the last months? Page 2 Total Male Female C C2 land Yorks & Hum 'side Wales ern Public 2 0 Haiti earthquake 0% 2 0% 0 0% 0 0% % 0% 2 Australian floods % % 2 % 0% 2 % 0 % 2 2 % Pakistan flooding % 0 2 0% 0 0% % 2 2 % % Haiti cholera epidemic % 2 2 % % 0% 2 0% 0% % A charity fundraising appeal for starving people % 2 % 2 % % 0 % 2 % A charity fundraising appeal specifically for children affected by disasters 0 % 2 % 2 % % % 2 A charity fundraising appeal for the victims of drought 2 % 0 % 2 % 2 % A charity fundraising appeal for the victims of conflict 2 % % % % % % None of these % 2
Table Q. Thinking in particular of children affected by humanitarian disasters, by comparison with other disaster victims, do you think there is generally too much media coverage about children, too little media coverage or is it about right? Page Total Male Female C C2 land Yorks & Hum 'side Wales ern Public 2 0 Too much 2 % 2 0 % % % % % Too little % % % 2 % % % % % % % % About right 2 0 0% % 2 % 2 2 0% 0 Don't know 2 % % 2 0 0 % % % % % 0
Table Q. Generally speaking, do you think media reporting of humanitarian response to each of the following has been mainly positive stories or mainly negative stories, or do you think it is portrayed neutrally? Summary Page Haiti earthquake Pakistan floods Children in Haiti Children in Pakistan Positive 2 0 0 Negative 0 % Neutral Haven't seen or heard of this 2
Table Q. Generally speaking, do you think media reporting of humanitarian response to each of the following has been mainly positive stories or mainly negative stories, or do you think it is portrayed neutrally? Haiti earthquake Page Total Male Female C C2 land Yorks & Hum 'side Wales ern Public 2 0 Positive 2 % % 0 2 0 % % 0 0 % 0 % 2 Negative 2 2 2 % % 0 0 Neutral 0 % 2 2 0 2 Haven't seen or heard of this 2 0
Table Q. Generally speaking, do you think media reporting of humanitarian response to each of the following has been mainly positive stories or mainly negative stories, or do you think it is portrayed neutrally? Pakistan floods Page Total Male Female C C2 land Yorks & Hum 'side Wales ern Public 2 0 Positive 0 2 % % % 0 2 % % 0 % Negative 0 % 2 2 % % 2 % % % 2 Neutral 0 % 2 2 2 % % 2 2 % 0 0 Haven't seen or heard of this % % 2 2 % %
Table Q. Generally speaking, do you think media reporting of humanitarian response to each of the following has been mainly positive stories or mainly negative stories, or do you think it is portrayed neutrally? Children in Haiti Page Total Male Female C C2 land Yorks & Hum 'side Wales ern Public 2 0 Positive 0 2 % 0 % % % 2 Negative % % 2 % 0 % 2 2 % % % % % % % % 2 Neutral % 2 2 0 0 % % 2 Haven't seen or heard of this 2 % % % % 2 % % %
Table Q. Generally speaking, do you think media reporting of humanitarian response to each of the following has been mainly positive stories or mainly negative stories, or do you think it is portrayed neutrally? Children in Pakistan Page Total Male Female C C2 land Yorks & Hum 'side Wales ern Public 2 0 Positive % 2 % % 0 % 0 0 2 % % 2 % 2 Negative % 2 % % % % 2 % % % % % 2 % Neutral 2 2 2 % % % 0 0 Haven't seen or heard of this % 2 % % 0 % 0 % % % 0 % %
Table Q. How do you feel about the level of coverage that voluntary or charity organisations receive in the media for their work in tackling humanitarian disasters? Page Total Male Female C C2 land Yorks & Hum 'side Wales ern Public 2 0 There is too much coverage 2 % % % % % 2 2 % There is too little coverage 0 % % % % % % 0 % There is about the right amount of coverage 0 0 2 0 % 2 2 % 0 0% 0 % 2 %
Table Q. Have you been prompted to take any action regarding humanitarian disasters due to media coverage? Page Total Male Female C C2 land Yorks & Hum 'side Wales ern Public 2 0 I have not taken any action 0 2 % % % 2 2 0 I have donated money to a charity 2 0 % % 2 % 2 2 0 % % % % I have discussed with friends and/or family 2 2 0 % 2 2 % 2 2 I have watched a documentary or read an article 2 % 2 0 0 2 % % 2 % I have found out more information about the disaster % % 2 % % % I have commented online, tweeted, emailed or blogged I have volunteered 2 2 2 2 I have visited a disaster area 2 Other 2 2 2
Table Q. How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? Summary Page News coverage of humanitarian disasters is generally fair and neutral I find media coverage of children affected by disasters particularly compelling I am likely to donate to appeals from charities following natural disasters I find media coverage of humanitarian disasters distressing and I try to avoid it I find media coverage focused on an individual or family most compelling, particularly when the story is revisited later Media coverage of humanitarian disasters is often too sentimental or sensationalist, when it should simply report the facts Agree strongly () % Agree () 0 % Disagree (2) 2 % 0 % 2 Disagree strongly () 2 Mean 2. 2. 2. 2.2 2.0 2.2 Standard deviation 0. 0. 0. 0.2 0.2 0. Standard error 0.0
Table Q. How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? News coverage of humanitarian disasters is generally fair and neutral Page Agree strongly () Agree () Disagree (2) Disagree strongly () Mean Standard deviation Standard error Total Male Female 2 0 2 2 % 2. 2. 0. 0. 0.0 0% % 0 2. 0.0 0 2. 0. 0.0 2 % 2.2 0. 0.0 2 % 2. 0. 0.0 2 0% % 2.0 0. 0.0 0 % 2. 0. 0.0 % 2. 0.0 0.0 % 2.0 0.0 C 2 2 2. 0. 0.0 C2 0 % 2. 0. 0.0 00 0 2. 0. 0.0 Yorks & Hum Mid Mid land 'side lands lands Wales ern 2.2 0. 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 % % 2. 0.2 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 0 2. 0. 0.0 % % 2.0 0. 0.0 2 2. 0. 0.0 Pub lic 2 % 0 % 2.2 0. 0.0 2 2.0 0. 0.0 2 2. 0. 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 % 2. 0.
Table Q. How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? I find media coverage of children affected by disasters particularly compelling Page Agree strongly () Agree () Disagree (2) Disagree strongly () Mean Standard deviation Standard error Total Male Female 2 0 % 0 % 2. 2. 0. 0.2 0 2. 0. 0 2. 0.0 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 % 2. 0.0 0.0 % 2. 0. 0.0 2. 0.2 0.0 2 0% 2.0 0. 0.0 2 2. 0. 0.0 C 2 2.0 0. 0.0 C2 % 2 % 2 2. 0. 0.0 2. 0.2 0.0 Yorks & Hum Mid Mid land 'side lands lands Wales ern 2. 0. 0.0 2 % 2. 0. 0.0 % 2. 0. 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 2 2. 0. 0.0 2. 0.2 0.0 % 2. 0.2 0.0 Pub lic % 2. 0.0 0.0 % % 2. 0.0 0.0 % 2.2 0.0 0.0 2 2 2.2 0. 0.0 2 2 2.0 0. 0.0
Table Q. How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? I am likely to donate to appeals from charities following natural disasters Page Agree strongly () Agree () Disagree (2) Disagree strongly () Mean Standard deviation Standard error Total Male Female 2 0 0 02 % 2 % 2. 2. 0. 0. 0.0 % 2. 0. 0 % 2. 0. 0.0 % 2 2. 0. 0.0 % 2. 0. 0.0 % 2.2 0.0 0.0 2. 0.0 0.0 0 % 2. 0. 0.0 % 2. 0. 0.0 C 2 2 % 2.0 0. 0.0 C2 2. 0. 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 Yorks & Hum Mid Mid land 'side lands lands Wales ern % % 2. 0. 0.0 % 2. 0. 0.0 2 2. 0. 0.0 % 2. 0. 0.0 % 2. 0. 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 0 2. 0. 0.0 % % 2 2. 0. 0.0 Pub lic 2 2. 0. 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 0 % 2. 0. 0.0 0 2.0 0. 0.0 0 2 % 2. 0. 0.0
Table Q. How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? I find media coverage of humanitarian disasters distressing and I try to avoid it Page Agree strongly () Agree () Disagree (2) Disagree strongly () Mean Standard deviation Standard error Total Male Female 2 0 0 2 2 0 0% 0 2.2 2.2 0.2 0.2 0 2.2 0. % 2 % 2. 0. 0.0 % % 2. 0. 0.0 2 2 0% 0 2. 0. 0.0 % 2. 0. 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 0 00 0% 2. 0. 0.0 2 2. 0. 0.0 C 2 % 2. 0. 0.0 C2 % 2 % 2. 0.2 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 Yorks & Hum Mid Mid land 'side lands lands Wales ern 0% 2.2 0. 0.0 % 2. 0. 0.0 2. 0.2 0.0 0% % 2. 0. 0.0 % % 2. 0. 0.0 % 2. 0.0 0.0 % 0 2. 0. 0.0 0 2. 0. 0.0 Pub lic % 2 % 2. 0.0 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 0% 2 2. 0. 0.0 0 2 2. 0. 0.0
Table Q. How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? I find media coverage focused on an individual or family most compelling, particularly when the story is revisited later Page Agree strongly () Agree () Disagree (2) Disagree strongly () Mean Standard deviation Standard error Total Male Female 2 0 % 2 2.0 2.2 0.2 0. 0 0 2. 0.0 % % 0 2.0 0. 0.0 0 % 2. 0. 0.0 2 2. 0. 0.0 2 2. 0. 0.0 % % 2. 0. 0.0 0 2.2 0. 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 C 2 2 2. 0. 0.0 C2 0 % 2. 0. 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 Yorks & Hum Mid Mid land 'side lands lands Wales ern % 2. 0. 0.0 % 2. 0. 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 % 2.2 0. 0.0 2 2. 0. 0.0 % 2.0 0. 0.0 % 2. 0. 0.0 Pub lic 0 2. 0. 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 % 2. 0. 0.0 % 2. 0. 0.0 % 2. 0. 0.0
Table Q. How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? Media coverage of humanitarian disasters is often too sentimental or sensationalist, when it should simply report the facts Page Agree strongly () Agree () Disagree (2) Disagree strongly () Mean Standard deviation Standard error Total Male Female 2 0 2 % % 0 2.2 2. 0. 0. 0.0 0 2.0 0. 2 2. 0. 0.0 2 2. 0.2 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 % 0 2. 0. 0.0 % % 2. 0. 0.0 0 % % 2 % 2. 0. 0.0 2 2 2. 0. 0.0 C % 2 2. 0. 0.0 C2 2. 0. 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 Yorks & Hum Mid Mid land 'side lands lands Wales ern 2. 0. 0.0 % 2. 0. 0.0 0 2. 0. 0.0 % 2. 0. 0.0 2. 0. 0.0 % 2 2. 0.0 0.0 2 2. 0.0 0.0 0 % 2 2. 0. 0.0 Pub lic % 2. 0. 0.0 % 2. 0.2 0.0 2 2. 0.0 0.0 2 2 2. 0.0 0.0 0 2 2. 0. 0.0
Table Q. If you donated money to a cause following a humanitarian disaster in the last months did you hear from the agency, to which you donated, how your money was / is being spent? Page Total Male Female C C2 land Yorks & Hum 'side Wales ern Public 2 0 Yes, I received a personal communication 2 Yes, I received a general communication to donors 2 % 2 % No, but I did receive a thank you response for my donation % % 2 % % 2 2 % No, but I read about it on their website % No, but when I donated the money I was aware where my money would be spent 0 % 2 % 2 % % % % 0 % No, I didn't hear anything 0 % 2 2 % 2 % 2 % 0 2 2 %
Table Q. Do you think media coverage of how aid is being spent in response to humanitarian disasters in the last year has generally been positive, negative or neutral? Page Total Male Female C C2 land Yorks & Hum 'side Wales ern Public 2 0 Positive 2 2 % % % 2 Negative 2 % % 0 % 0 Neutral 0 2 2 2 2 2 % % %