Half of Russians disapprove NTV "strike"

46% of Russians, questioned by All-Russian Centre of Public Opinion Research, regard the action of protest, conducted by NTV journalists, i.e. broadcasting only news within two days, as a sign of disrespect for audience. 39% think that this measure was righteous, 15% failed to answer this question. 43% consider that NTV actions were caused by the desire to stand up for freedom of speech, 33% account NTV journalists’ behaviour to their unwillingness to return their million strong loans and to the ambition to stay beyond the control, 24% failed to answer. At the same time, 22% think that the majority of the journalists will leave NTV of their own free will, 15% consider that the new leaders will gradually force out “disagreeable” journalists 9% think that NTV journalists (and probably its former editor-in-chief Evgeny Kiselyov, too) will work with the near leaders, enjoying the same freedom. Other 9% consider that the journalists will have to work, conforming to the policy of the new leaders. 15 % hope that Kiselyov will return to his duties, 5% are sure that the channel will be closed, 25% failed to answer. In spite of the fact that many Russians do not approve NTV action of protest, only 5% think that the quality of NTV programs will improve as new leaders come, 39% consider that it will become worse, 36% do not expect any severe changes.