Poll shows strong Russian support for internet censorship

A new survey shows that nearly half of Russians believe that online information should be censored.

According to the report prepared by the Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VTsIOM) and the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, 11% of Russians think that the internet should be absolutely free from government censorship, while 49% believe that censorship is essential.

The report notes too that 58% of Russians support the concept of nation-wide internet shutdown in the event of a national emergency, while 42% believe that foreign governments use the internet against Russia and its interests. 73% of respondents consider it inappropriate to post negative information about civil servants online.

The survey results were also enlightening with regard to Russian internet usage habits. The poll shows that 42% of Russian citizens use the internet on a regular basis, while 38% said that they hadn’t used the internet for six months or more.

VTsIOM’s Director General, Valery Fyodorov, stated that as the internet has grown to rival TV as a communication channel, “not only the possibilities, but also the hazards of the uncontrolled circulation of information online have become more appreciable”.