These results are from a nationwide survey on current issues conducted by the ANSA McAL Psychological Research Centre, University of the West Indies, St Augustine for the T&T Guardian. The main intention of this survey is to assess popular opinion on a number of major issues.
A representative random sample of 506 respondents comprised persons 18 years and over with 37 per cent Afro-Trinidadians, 41 per cent Indo-Trinidadians, 21 per cent Mixed persons and one per cent Other. The sample consisted of 47 per cent males. Respondents were selected using the random digit dialling method. The margin of error is plus or minus four per cent. This poll was conducted during the period May 6 to 9, 2010.
Generally, do you think that the media is biased towards any political party?
Yes PNM–10%
Yes UNC/Coalition–6%
Both PNM and UNC–11%
None–64%
Don't Know–9%
Assessing responses by ethnicity, between 53 per cent and 73 per cent of ethnic groups stated that the media was not biased to any political party. Specifically for the response "yes PNM," 18 per cent of Afro-Trinidadians, seven per cent Mixed and five per cent Indo-Trinidadian persons gave the response. There were no differences across ethnic groups saying "yes UNC" with seven per cent Afro-Trinidadians, six per cent Indo-Trinidadians and five per cent Mixed people giving this response.
With regard to the response "both PNM and UNC," Mixed (14 per cent) persons were more likely than Afro-Trinidadians (ten per cent) and Indo-Trinidadians (nine per cent) to give this response. Additionally, Indo-Trinidadians (73 per cent) were more likely to state "none" than Mixed (67 per cent) persons and Afro-Trinidadians (53 per cent). With regards to gender, over 60 per cent of both sexes indicated that "none" of the political parties were being biased against by the media with 67 per cent males and 62 per cent females indicating this response. There was no difference between males and females who indicated "yes PNM".
Precisely, ten per cent of males and ten per cent of females stated "yes PNM", whilst seven per cent of males and five per cent of females stated "yes UNC coalition." Additionally females were more likely to give the "don't know" response than males. Specifically 11 per cent of females and six per cent of males gave the "don't know" response. In assessing the variable age, approximately 60 per cent and more of respondents across the age groups stated "none" to any of the political parties being biased against by the media.
Generally, which political party do you think has the best slate of political candidates?
PNM –26%
UNC Coalition–51%
None–8%
Don't know–15%
Both–1%
Ethnicity was a major explanatory factor for party choice. Specifically for the response "PNM," 71 per cent were Afro-Trinidadians, 19 per cent Mixed and ten per cent Indo-Trinidadians persons gave this response. Of those saying "UNC Coalition" 65 per cent of those responding were Indo-Trinidadians, 16 per cent Afro-Trinidadians and 16 per cent Mixed. For the response "none," 56 per cent were Afro-Trinidadians, 33 per cent Mixed and two per cent Indo-Trinidadian. Additionally, for the response "don't know," Afro-Trinidadian (40 per cent), Mixed (31 per cent) and Indo-Trinidadians (28 per cent) gave this response.
With regards to the gender of those saying "UNC Coalition" 53 per cent were males and 47 per cent females. For the response "PNM," 56 per cent were females and 46 per cent males. Males (six per cent) were three per cent less likely than females (nine per cent) in responding "none." For the responses "don't know," 62 per cent were females and 38 per cent males. In examining education, of those responding "UNC Coalition", 42 per cent were secondary educated, 24 per cent university, 19 per cent primary and 14 per cent technical/vocational educated persons.
Of the response "PNM," 36 per cent were secondary, 29 per cent university, 22 per cent primary and 13 per cent technical/vocational educated persons. In giving the response "none," of those responding, 47 per cent were secondary, 22 per cent university, 17 per cent technical/ vocational and 14 per cent primary educated persons. Similarly for those responding "don't know," 46 per cent were secondary, 27 per cent university, 15 per cent primary and ten per cent technical/ vocational educated people.
Do you think that political promises will be kept by the UNC Coalition?
Yes–50%
No–25%
Don't know–25%
With regards to sex, males (53 per cent) were marginally more likely than females (47 per cent) to state "yes", they think political promises would be kept by the UNC Coalition. Similar results were observed for males (25 per cent ) and females (25 per cent ) stating "no". "Don't know" was stated by 29 per cent females and 22 per cent males.
Similar responses were seen across age groups with regards to this question as 50 per cent of the 18 to 30, 49 per cent 31 to 40, 50 per cent 41 to 50 and 50 per cent 51 plus age group stated "yes" they think political promises would be kept by the UNC Coalition.
Younger persons were marginally more likely to state "no" as 30 per cent of the 18 to 30, 29 per cent 31 to 40, 25 per cent 41 to 50 and 22 per cent 51 plus age groups said "no." The response "don't know" was given by 29 per cent of the 51 plus, 26 per cent 41 to 50, 22 per cent 31 to 40 and 20 per cent 18 to 30 age group.
