Chernihiv experts have decided on the most influential 2012

The Polissya Fund of International and Regional Studies with the support of the Pure Policy Expert Club presented the results of the next expert poll “Chernihiv Region Expert – 2012”. The study has been conducted for 8 years in a row. 98 experts took part in the survey this year.

According to the President of the Polissya Fund Gennady Maxak, the survey was conducted at the expense of the Polissya Fund’s own funds in order to maintain impartiality and objectivity of the study. Respondents were the heads and activists of public organizations, regional and city units of political parties, heads of authorities and representatives of the media.

During the event, the attendees had the opportunity to get acquainted with expert evaluations of various aspects of the socio-political and economic situation in Chernihiv during 2012.

Analyzing changes in the socio-political sphere of the region, Gennady Maxak noted that, according to experts, central authorities and national media played a leading role in the formation of public sentiment in the Chernihiv region. To some extent, the socio-political situation of the region was influenced by local authorities, representatives of local business circles and parliamentary political parties in general.

A third of the respondents pointed to negative trends in the regional economy last year (for comparison: in 2011, the deterioration of the situation indicated 1.4% less than respondents). However, the economic situation remained unchanged compared to the previous year, 35.3% of experts are convinced.

As for the level of freedom of speech in the region, 56.8% of the total number of survey participants believe that compared to 2011, the situation remained unchanged. Recall that over the last three years, almost half of the experts have indicated trends related to the restriction of freedom of speech in the territory of Chernihiv region.

According to experts, the level of trust in local authorities decreased during 2012. The reputation of the Executive Committee of the Chernihiv City Council has suffered special “losses” in this “competition”. However, the public control over the actions of local authorities has increased significantly compared to the previous year (although the leader in the context of expert commitment to the positive trends of the said sphere remains 2009).

Experts also expressed their opinion on the course of the election process in Chernihiv region as part of the 2012 election campaign. Thus, 50.5% of the total number of all respondents believe that the elections were mostly democratic, and the violation of electoral legislation did not significantly affect the overall picture. However, the most important factor that has significantly affected the election results, the vast majority of respondents (54.1%) considers the use of administrative resource.

Of the events related to the activities of local political forces in 2012, experts were most remembered by the 2012 parliamentary election campaign. At the same time, according to 58.2 % of respondents, local centers of political parties slightly influenced the socio-political life of the region.

It should be noted that 72.4% of experts noted that the impact of public organizations on the public life of the region was insignificant. At the same time, the most significant contribution to the development of the public space of the region was made by non -state organizations in the context of control and monitoring activities.

It is noteworthy that from local authorities, experts were most remembered by the Romantik festival, which took place with the organizational assistance of the Chernihiv City Council. Among the measures of civil society organizations, actions were marked in defense of the Yalivshchyna Association “New Perspectives of Yalivshchyna”.

The most popular sources of information for experts during 2012 were information publications on the Internet. The level of dependence of local media on the owners, local authorities and business structures remains consistently. The level of objectivity of local mass media in the issue of socio-political information of the population of Chernihiv region has been slightly reduced.

The Chernihiv Regional State Administration and the Chernihiv City Council preserved the rating rating on the rating of the survey, which Gennady Maxak voiced.

Experts recognized Vladimir Khomenko as the most influential civil servant.

Pavel Pushchenko, the head of the Chernihiv Educational Center “Initiative”, became the most influential public figure in Chernihiv in 2012. Mr Pushchenko is also called a journalist who was most effective in covering socio-political issues in Chernihiv during 2012.

According to the expert survey, Valery Dubil was recognized as the most influential local politician of 2012.

The most authoritative media in Chernihiv in 2012 is the high shaft.

The Polissya Foundation for International and Regional Research was the leader among public organizations.

The Party of Regions is recognized as the absolute leader in the influence in Chernihiv region.