Half of News of the World readers said they were less likely to buy the paper following phone-hacking allegations, if they were to be found true.

A survey for Channel 4 yesterday asked:

To what extent could the allegations of phone hacking into active criminal cases effect readership of The News Of The World?
88% of all readers of The News Of The World surveyed said they were aware of the new phone hacking allegations.

52% of all readers said that if the allegations proved accurate they would be less likely to buy the newspaper in future. 23% said they would not be less likely and 25% said they didn’t know.

What is the public’s belief of News International’s prior knowledge of the way these stories were allegedly gathered?
72% of those surveyed said they did NOT believe that executives at News International were unaware of the new hacking allegations until July 4th.

Only 7% who believed News International’s Statement on the new allegations. 21% did not know.

Which members or former member of News International /News Corp do the public consider to be most responsible should the allegations be found accurate?
Those surveyed thought Rebekah Brooks had the most responsibility (66%) followed by Glen Mulcaire (56%) and Rupert Murdoch (45%) then Andy Coulson (42%).

19% of respondents thought that “the specific journalists involved bore responsibility but not the newspaper editor or owners”.

“Some people say that invasion of individuals’ privacy by the News of the World makes News Corporation unfit to own all of British Sky Broadcasting, and that despite granting permission the government should now block News Corp’s attempt to buy the 61% of BSkyB it doesn’t already own. What is your view?”

48% think now that News Corporation is unfit to own all of British Sky broadcasting. 34% felt that It is too early to judge as all the the facts have not been established. 12% considered the privacy allegations not relevant to the transaction.

How do the public feel David Cameron handled the controversies over hacking allegations?
Only 9% of those asked felt that David Cameron had handled the controversies over hacking “well” The balance were split between “adequately” – 34% and “badly” – 37% with 20% saying they didn’t know.

via Political Betting

Reader comments

1. Liberal Conspiracy

   Half of NotW readers less likely to buy paper http://bit.ly/nNXB9z

2. Miljenko Williams

   Half of NotW readers less likely to buy paper http://bit.ly/nNXB9z

3. Clive Burgess

   Half of NotW readers less likely to buy paper http://bit.ly/nNXB9z

4. SSP Campsie

   Half of NotW readers less likely to buy paper http://bit.ly/nNXB9z

5. Graeme Robertson

   Half of NotW readers less likely to buy paper http://bit.ly/nNXB9z

6. Alex Perkins

   Half of NotW readers less likely to buy paper http://bit.ly/nNXB9z

7. Peter D Cox

   >> How to make this 100%? RT @libcon: Half of NotW readers less likely to buy paper http://bit.ly/nNXB9z

8. Aaron Chandra

   Half of NotW readers less likely to buy paper http://bit.ly/nNXB9z

9. Zoe Stavri

   @ahhaso There might be a slight impact on sales. Nothing long-term though. Dent to the system, it'll buff out http://is.gd/ehZU8g

10. Tony Wood

    Half of NotW readers less likely to buy paper http://bit.ly/nNXB9z

11. Simon McBurney

    Tell your local newsagent….. Half of NotW readers less likely to buy paper http://t.co/YkGYOt8

12. Gabriella Swallow

    Tell your local newsagent….. Half of NotW readers less likely to buy paper http://t.co/YkGYOt8

13. Luke McEwan

    Tell your local newsagent….. Half of NotW readers less likely to buy paper http://t.co/YkGYOt8

14. Loren O'Dair

    Tell your local newsagent….. Half of NotW readers less likely to buy paper http://t.co/YkGYOt8

15. Annelie Powell

    Tell your local newsagent….. Half of NotW readers less likely to buy paper http://t.co/YkGYOt8

16. Heywood Hadfield

    RT @libcon Half of NotW readers less likely to buy paper http://bit.ly/nNXB9z >> leaving the remaining half, who can't read it #notw

17. Shaun Downey

    Half of NotW readers less likely to buy paper | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/oldREMZ via @libcon

18. Grellan Larkin

    Half of NotW readers less likely to buy paper http://bit.ly/qDza1a (the rest still plan to buy it in two weeks' time…)