70% of the respondents of a survey commissioned by the Independent Journalism Center said the press manipulates. Experts analyzed the media sources preferred by the people, the perception of the information and manipulation level and preferences concerning the local mass media versus the foreign media, IPN reports.

According to the poll, television is the most important source of sociopolitical news for 67% of those surveyed, being also the most trusted source for 68% of the media consumers. The online media rank second with 26%, followed by the radio with 5%.

The respondents defined the difference between manipulation and propaganda as a matter of intensity and degree, the latter being perceived as a more intense attempt to influence the public. Only 4% of the respondents consider they are manipulated by the mass media. 70% said the press in general manipulates. 77% of those polled said the mass media from Moldova manipulate, 60% said it about the Russian mass media, 50% about that of Romania, while 48% about that of Ukraine.

The survey is based on a national poll and focus groups and was conducted by the Marketing and Polling Institute IMAS-INC Chisinau.