Most Russians believe the media is more influential than political parties, according to a poll carried out by Russia's state-run polling agency, VTsIOM.
Respondents rated the media at 3.64 on a 5-point scale of influence. Political parties came second with 3.10, with the Orthodox Church just 0.1 behind.
While the media stayed at roughly the same level as in 2000, the parties and Church have boosted their perceived influence, up from 2.43 and 2.76 in 2000, respectively, VTsIOM said.
Trade unions were voted the least influential public body, with just 1.8.
For the poll, VTsIOM has interviewed 1,600 people. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.
