Page 22 - RusRPTDec19

Almost 70% of Russian citizens surveyed are concerned about the growth of social injustice.​ That said, international conflicts with Russia's participation (20%) are the least of Russians' fears, according to a poll published by the Russian National Public Opinion Research Center.
Russia has been rated 149th out of 180 countries for press freedom,
according to an annual index published by international media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Russia and Turkey (ranked 157th) continue to be the biggest players in the suppression of free speech in the region, RSF researchers said. A recently passed law that punishes “fake news,” efforts to block websites, arbitrary arrests of journalists, police violence and state pressure on independent media have influenced Russia’s position in the ranking.
The share of Russians in favour of decisive changes in the country has grown from 42% to 59% over the past two years, ​a joint study from Carnegie Moscow and the Levada Center shows. Those favouring minor changes stands at 31%, while 8% of respondents think the country should remain as is. Perhaps more significantly, 53% of respondents say that reforms are only possible if the political system undergoes serious changes. These figures do not necessarily mean that Russians are ready to oust Putin, however. According to the study, society’s two most demanded changes are an increase in salaries and living standards (24% of respondents) and a change in government and the president (13%). Dissatisfaction with the state is clearly growing as Russians feel poorer, report author Denis Volkov explains. Yet instead of demanding changes to Russian democratic institutions, society is becoming irritated with the elite. The knee-jerk reaction is
22​ RUSSIA Country Report​ December 2019 ​ ​www.intellinews.com