Slovaks trust the media more than state institutions, and they also trust media and state institutions more than the average in the EU, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey carried out in April 2008 on a sample of 1,085 people aged over 15.
According to the survey, 78 percent of Slovaks trust radio broadcasts (EU27 - 61 percent), 71 percent trust television (EU27 - 53 percent), while the figure for the press is 56 percent (EU27 - 44 percent). Only 37 percent of Slovak citizens trust the government (EU27 - 32 percent), however, while 34 percent showed confidence in Parliament (identical to the EU27 figure).
At the same time, there is a huge difference between Slovakia and the EU average when it comes to trust in the courts and police. While in Slovakia, only 31 percent trust the courts and legal system, the figure is 46 percent for the EU27. The police enjoy the confidence of only 36 percent of Slovaks, which is 27 percentage points less than the European average. On the other hand, Slovaks view 2008 more positively than most other EU citizens - with 28 percent expecting the economic situation to improve, the fourth-highest figure in the EU. Almost one-third (32 percent) of Slovaks think that the employment situation will improve, with the EU average way behind at only 11 percent. TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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