Forming or studying public opinion? Socilogical analysis of the "public opinion" tv program, 1987-1989

Abstract

The author gives an attempt to study and describe public opinion in 1987-1989 based on The Public Opinion TV program of the Leningrad TV Studio (LST). The paper presents an analysis carried out in 1988 and delivers its comprehensive assessment. The TV audience was asked to express the opinion on actual topics online. The studio discussion was hosted by two groups of experts who had to prove their positions. Computer data processing was used to provide continuous sociological commentary. Social analysts who took part in the TV program announced the results of the telephone-based survey as well as socio-demographic profile of the respondents. The basic conclusion drawn from the survey results are as follows: people were divided in their opinions according to both age groups and employment group; the division was inside the group rather than between groups. Young respondents had their specifics: they were radical regardless of the type of question. The following social groups were involved in the Public Opinion TV program: 1) scientists from various fields of study (social scientists, economists, lawyers); 2) representatives of authorities, leaders; 3) ordinary people. The analysis of the groups revealed the following problems: rather low professional level and extremely high level of self-censorship among experts; ordinary people distrusting the representatives of authorities; lack of practice resulted in inability of authorities to communicate with each person separately but not with the masses. A great volume of letters sent to the TV editors was analysed to describe the most common types of public consciousness and their prevalence.