Survey in Kabardino-Balkaria: 58% of balkarians are ready to participate in protest actions

Respondents’ assessment of the republican law on municipalities was mostly critical and negative. 38% were critical in judging this law while 30% stated that they are “rather critical” towards this law. Only 6% were positive about the law and 14% - “rather positive”. 12% found it difficult to answer this question, which could be partially explained by the fact that large part of the population are insufficiently informed about the essence of the law in question.

Responses to a question on the readiness of the population to take part in protest meetings and picketing to defend their interests revealed high level of dissatisfaction of the Balkarian population by current conditions in Kabardino-Balkaria. Thus, 58% of respondents gave positive answer to this question and 9% - “rather positive” confirming their readiness to resort to protest actions. In total, 67% of those polled Balkarians accept their participation in possible actions of protest. 27% gave negative response and 5% - “rather negative” response to this question. Only 1% could not answer this question.

Overwhelming majority of respondents (94%) reported major Russian federal television channels (ORT, RTR and NTV) as their major source of news and information. 11% indicated local TV station as their main source of news and information.

Local printed media including “Gazeta Yuga” (31%), “Balkaria” (22%) and Balkarian-language newspaper “Zaman” (12%) turned out to be the second most important sources of the information for the respondents.

8% reported Internet as their main source of information. Among them, 6% use various sites about the situation in the Caucasus, 1% - official site of Kabardino-Balkarian president and 1% - KBP site.

Radio is the main information source for only 5% of respondents. Among them, 3% tune in to Russkoe Radio – Nalchik and 2% - to Radio Mayak. Relatives and friends are considered the most important source of news and information by 2% of the respondents.