Promoting Rule of Law and Integrity in the

Middle East and North Africa

Public Opinion Surveys covering Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco.

2

Media: Main Findings (1) Freedom of expression A majority in Jordan and a significant plurality in Egypt think that journalists enjoy freedom of expression without fear of reprisal only to a small extent. In contrast, in Lebanon and Morocco most respondents believe that journalists enjoy freedom of expression to a large extent.

Arbitrary sanctions against journalists and mediaA slight plurality in three out of the four countries and a minority in Lebanon think that sanctions against journalists are arbitrarily imposed.

Ability of the media to report openly Roughly half of those surveyed in Egypt and Jordan are concerned that the media is able to report openly on all types issues only to a small degree. Respondents in Lebanon express the least concern.

Government pressure on the media A significant plurality in Lebanon and majorities in the other three countries agree that the media is influenced or pressured by the government to a large extent.

3

Media: Main Findings (2) Bribery among journalistsWith the exception of Egypt, where a plurality believe that bribery occurs to a large extent among journalists, respondents in the other countries are split over the extent to which journalists accept such favors or bribes.

Arbitrary sanctions against journalists and mediaA slight plurality in three out of the four countries and a minority in Lebanon think that to a large extent sanctions against journalists are arbitrarily imposed.

General journalistic competency Considerable majorities in Lebanon and Morocco as well as a small plurality in Jordan believe that journalists generally have sufficient qualifications to perform their duties competently.

Fair and balanced viewA majority of those surveyed in Morocco and significant pluralities in the other three countries have concerns about whether the media provides them with an impartial and balanced view.

4

Media: Main Findings (3) Need for reform Overwhelming majorities of respondents in all four countries think that reforms are needed to enhance the independence, integrity, and efficiency of the media. Respondents in Morocco express the most support for reform.

5

Media: Freedom of Expression

To what extent do journalists enjoy freedom of expression without fear of reprisal?

48%58%

16%

45%

19%

18%

5%

4%

31%22%

77%

50%

2%1% 2%1%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Egypt (n=800) Jordan (n=400) Lebanon (n=400) Morocco (n=800)

Did not respond

To a large extent

Neutral

To a small extent

6

Media: Arbitrary Sanctions against Journalists and the Media

Sanctions against journalists and media organizations are arbitrarily imposed (e.g. denial or suspension of credentials, closure., seizure).

30% 29% 24%40%

31% 27%

20%

10%

27%24% 44%

11% 15%

35%

12%19%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Egypt (n=800) Jordan (n=400) Lebanon (n=400) Morocco (n=800)

Did not respond

To a small extent

Neutral

To a large extent

7

Media: Ability to Report Openly on Issues

The media is able to report openly on all types of issues (political, religious, social).

48% 52%

21%

43%

24% 20%

8%

3%

25% 24%

68%

52%

4%2% 2%2%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Egypt (n=800) Jordan (n=400) Lebanon (n=400) Morocco (n=800)

Did not respond

To a large extent

Neutral

To a small extent

8

Media: Government Pressure

To what degree is the media influenced/ pressured by government?

57% 58%46%

54%

17% 15%

11%8%

20% 19%39%

4% 9%

29%

8%6%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Egypt (n=800) Jordan (n=400) Lebanon (n=400) Morocco (n=800)

Did not respond

To a small degree

Neutral

To a large degree

9

Media: Acceptance of Bribes by Journalists

To what extent do journalists accept favors/bribes?

43%

23%31% 29%

21%

31%26%

14%

25%

20%23%

20% 22%

36%

11%25%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Egypt (n=800) Jordan (n=400) Lebanon (n=400) Morocco (n=800)

Did not respond

To a small extent

Neutral

To a large extent

10

Media: General Journalistic Competency

Generally, journalists have sufficient qualifications to perform their duties competently.

29% 35%

72%60%

30%28%

13%

4%

38% 28%

10%

28%

4% 7%4% 8%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Egypt (n=800) Jordan (n=400) Lebanon (n=400) Morocco (n=800)

Did not respond

To a small extent

Neutral

To a large extent

11

Media: Fair and Balanced View

In your opinion, to what extent does the media provide you with impartial and balanced views?

47% 48% 44%52%

28% 21% 28%5%

23%26% 25%

41%

6%2% 2% 2%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Egypt (n=800) Jordan (n=400) Lebanon (n=400) Morocco (n=800)

Did not respond

To a large extent

Neutral

To a small extent

12

Media: Need for Reform

Egypt(n=800)

Jordan(n=400)

Lebanon(n=400)

Morocco(n=800)

Reforms are needed to enhance the independence of the media.

86% 81% 91% 90%

Reforms are needed to enhance the integrity of the media.

79% 75% 90% 94%

Reforms are needed to enhance the efficiency of the media.

82% 77% 85% 94%

13

Parliament and Participation: Main Findings (1) Equal chance for candidates A majority of the surveyed population in Egypt, Lebanon, and Morocco and a third of respondents in Jordan believe that candidates in their countries do not enjoy equal chances to compete for the parliament.

Campaign spending limitsA plurality of respondents in Jordan and a majority in the other three countries think that there are no limits set to campaign spending.

Integrity in election administration More than half of respondents in Egypt and Morocco and a plurality in Lebanon disagree that the election authority in their country is trusted and impartial. In Jordan, only one-quarter of those interviewed expressed concern with the integrity of the election administration body.

Representativeness Majorities in respondents in three countries and a plurality in Jordan are concerned that the parliament may not truly represent the social and political forces in the society. Respondents in Morocco express the most concern.

14

Parliament and Participation: Main Findings (2) Relationship with constituents Roughly half of those surveyed in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon think that the members of parliament representing their districts do not interact with constituents. The same view is also shared by an overwhelming majority in Morocco.

Coercion of parliamentariansSome respondents believe that parliamentarians are subject to illegal pressures, with the most concern being expressed in Egypt and Lebanon.

Monitoring of the executive A majority of the respondents in three countries and a plurality in Jordan think that parliamentarians fail to monitor all the actions of the ministers. Those interviewed in Lebanon expresses the strongest disagreement.

Fight against corruption More than 8 interviewed Moroccans in 10 do not believe that parliamentarians fight corruption. A plurality in Jordan and majorities in Lebanon and Egypt share the same opinion.

15

Parliament and Participation: Main Findings (3) Effectiveness Significant numbers of respondents in all four countries are concerned that the parliament does not legislate effectively, with more then two-thirds of those surveyed in Morocco expressing concern.

Responsiveness to public issues More than half of respondents in Lebanon and Egypt and roughly three-quarters of those in Morocco believe that parliamentarians do not care about issues pertaining to the public. Only about a third of those who responded in Jordan share this view.

Power abuse for personal benefits A plurality of respondents in Jordan and and considerable majorities in the other three countries think that parliamentarians misuse their power to obtain illegal benefits.

Fairness in Elections A slight plurality in Jordan believe that elections in their country are fair, while majorities in Morocco, Egypt, and Lebanon disagree that elections in their countries are conducted in a free and honest way.

16

Parliament and Participation: Main Findings (4) Competency of parliamentarians Roughly two in three respondents in Morocco and one in two respondents in the other three countries do not think that their parliamentarians are competent.

Need for reformThe vast majority of respondents in all four countries believe that reforms are necessary to increase participation in parliamentary elections and to enhance the independence, integrity, and the performance of the parliament. Respondents in Lebanon and Morocco express the strongest need for reform.

17

Parliament: Equal Chance for Candidates

Agree/Disagree: "Candidates for parliamentary seats enjoy equal competition chances."

64%

34%

63%58%

19%

24%

20%

13%

35%

14%

5%

34%

7%4% 3%2%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Egypt (n=800) Jordan (n=400) Lebanon (n=400) Morocco (n=800)

Did not respond

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

18

Parliament: Campaign Spending Limits

Agree/Disagree: "A limit for campaign spending is set."

63%

41%

69%60%

17%

24%

17%

10%

12%

11%

10%

8%

24%8%

23%

4%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Egypt (n=800) Jordan (n=400) Lebanon (n=400) Morocco (n=800)

Did not respond

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

19

Parliament: Integrity in Election Administration

Agree/Disagree: "The authority that oversees elections is trusted and impartial."

59%

25%

42%

58%

17%

26%

19%

9%

20%

32%

32% 16%

17%

4%

17%7%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Egypt (n=800) Jordan (n=400) Lebanon (n=400) Morocco (n=800)

Did not respond

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

20

Parliament: Representativeness

Agree/Disagree: "The parliament truly represents the social and political forces in the society."

56%44%

64%74%

23%

24%

20% 4%

17%

23%

13%18%

10%

4% 5%3%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Egypt (n=800) Jordan (n=400) Lebanon (n=400) Morocco (n=800)

Did not respond

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

21

Parliament: Relationship with Constituents

Agree/Disagree: "The parliamentarians in my district interact with their constituents."

46%53% 53%

85%

27%18% 21%

3%20% 18%

22%

10%11%8%2%3%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Egypt (n=800) Jordan (n=400) Lebanon (n=400) Morocco (n=800)

Did not respond

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

22

Parliament: Coercion of Parliamentarians

Agree/Disagree: "Parliamentarians endure illegal pressures."

42%

25%

41%29%

16%

27%

23%

13%

34%

29%

30%

34%

19%8%

24%

5%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Egypt (n=800) Jordan (n=400) Lebanon (n=400) Morocco (n=800)

Did not respond

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

23

Parliament: Monitoring of the Executive

Agree/Disagree: "Parliamentarians monitor all the actions of the ministers."

54%45%

62% 60%

21%

23%

20%11%

12%17%

14%

12%

15%12% 16%

3%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Egypt (n=800) Jordan (n=400) Lebanon (n=400) Morocco (n=800)

Did not respond

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

24

Parliament: Fight against Corruption

Agree/Disagree: "Parliamentarians fight corruption."

57%48%

69%82%

20%

24%

19%6%19%

17%

9% 8%11%

4% 4%2%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Egypt (n=800) Jordan (n=400) Lebanon (n=400) Morocco (n=800)

Did not respond

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

25

Parliament: Effectiveness

Agree/Disagree: "Parliament legislates effectively."

55%

37%

51%

70%

25%

27%

15%

5%

17%

21%

30% 16%

16%

4%8%

4%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Egypt (n=800) Jordan (n=400) Lebanon (n=400) Morocco (n=800)

Did not respond

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

26

Parliament: Responsiveness to Public Issues

Agree/Disagree: "Parliamentarians care about issues pertaining to the public."

56%

38%

53%

74%

21%

25%

20%

4%

19%

28%

25% 20%

10%

4% 2%3%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Egypt (n=800) Jordan (n=400) Lebanon (n=400) Morocco (n=800)

Did not respond

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

27

Parliament: Misuse of Power for Personal Benefits

Agree/Disagree: "Parliamentarians do not misuse their posts for illegal benefits."

70%

45%

67%74%

15%

25%

20% 8%

8%

15%

11%11%

15%6% 7%

3%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Egypt (n=800) Jordan (n=400) Lebanon (n=400) Morocco (n=800)

Did not respond

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

28

Parliament: Fairness in Elections

Agree/Disagree: "The elections in my country are conducted in a free and honest way."

63%

23%

54%67%

16%

30%

12%

7%

17%

34%

31%23%

12%

5% 3%2%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Egypt (n=800) Jordan (n=400) Lebanon (n=400) Morocco (n=800)

Did not respond

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

29

Parliament: Competency of Parliamentarians

Agree/Disagree: "Parliamentarians are competent."

52% 48% 49%

66%

27%25% 22%

7%

17%

16%24% 23%

11%

4% 5%4%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Egypt (n=800) Jordan (n=400) Lebanon (n=400) Morocco (n=800)

Did not respond

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

30

Parliament: Need for Reform

 Egypt

(n=800)Jordan(n=400)

Lebanon(n=400)

Morocco(n=800)

Reforms are needed to enhance representation and participation in parliamentary elections

84% 71% 94% 90%

Reforms are needed to enhance the independence of the parliament

80% 70% 92% 92%

Reforms are needed to enhance the integrity of the parliament

79% 70% 93% 96%

Reforms are needed to enhance the performance of the parliament

80% 75% 92% 95%