New | Post tops survey on newspaper credibility as trust in Hong Kong media sinks to all-time low
Chinese University study showing decline in trust for newspapers and broadcasters prompts journalists' chief to hit out at self-censorship
The South China Morning Post remains Hong Kong's most trusted newspaper, according to a survey on media credibility by Chinese University.
The city's leading English-language daily scored 6.98 on a scale of one to 10 in the survey, which has been conducted six times since 1997 by the university's school of journalism and communication. The Post has been the best-rated print media in five of the six studies.
The overall crown went to RTHK, which received an average score of 6.99. The public broadcaster has retained top spot among broadcasters since the survey was first conducted.
The telephone survey of 970 people was conducted in November and early last month. The margin of error was 2.5 to 3 per cent and respondents could refuse to rank media sources with which they were not familiar.
Professor So York-kee, who led the study, said differences in the average beyond the first decimal point meant little.
The result comes after a memorable year in which the Post garnered international attention for a series of scoops, most notably an exclusive interview with US intelligence whistle-blower Edward Snowden, secured by reporter Lana Lam after Snowden fled to Hong Kong.