NEWSWATCH: How Russia props up Putin in the polls
[“How Russia props up Putin in the polls” – Christopher Walker and Robert Orttung – Washington Post – January 30, 2015]
Christopher Walker and Robert Orttung scrutinize Russian President Vladimir Putin’s domestic political popularity ratings.
… Despite the price of oil sinking below $50 a barrel and the Russian economy falling into a tailspin, Putin’s approval ratings hover above 80 percent, seemingly defying gravity.
But the numbers should not be taken at face value.
Deeper scrutiny is especially important …
… Putin’s popularity has been achieved in an information vacuum. An informal set of censorship rules, actively enforced by the Kremlin, makes it virtually impossible to discuss important issues and question official actions through the mass media. … In recent months, the government has tightened its noose. …
Putin’s political repression also systematically removes, smears or co-opts any emerging opposition leader, having a chilling effect on anyone even attempting to assume such a mantle.
Additionally, a brain drain of well-educated professionals fleeing Russia accelerated when Putin returned for a third presidential term.
Putin’s ratings also are impacted by diversionary tactics, such as the annexation of Crimea, deflecting attention away from the country’s deepening economic problems.
The authors also express concern that western media reporti on Putin’s popularity ratings at face value rather than assessing their context.
Putin may well retain the support of certain segments of the Russian population. But given the degree of state-controlled “manufacturing” inherent in generating his “popularity,” uncritical reporting of Putin’s stratospherically high approval numbers does a disservice by feeding into the misguided notion that he is unassailable.