Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1466806
NEWS 4 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 4 MAY 2022 This article is part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. These articles reflect only the authors' view. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. AS the usage of internet nudges further upwards in Malta, reach- ing 87.5% according to data pub- lished by the National Statistics Office, usage of online social net- works increases as well. Of those that have access to internet, 95% browse the internet and 85% ac- cess online social networks at least once a day. misco has just published the re- sults of the fourth edition of the Social Media Usage Trends sur- vey which will enable readers to understand the behaviours and attitudes of respondents in rela- tion to social media. The results of a survey conducted in asso- ciation with the Ornate Group, show that trends are consolidat- ing themselves. While Facebook is still the so- cial media network which is most accessed, there is a trend of in- creased usage of Instagram and YouTube. While the percentage of respondents accessing Face- book remained fairly stable since 2018, the percentage of those ac- cessing YouTube and Instagram, has increased. Rebecca Gera, Director of mis- co, commented that, "The results of this year's survey, which is the fourth wave of such a survey, could have been influenced by the coronavirus. However, one also notes a return to behaviours seen pre-COVID. One needs to see what future waves indicate, that is whether usage of social media will evolve into a new nor- mal or whether it will return to pre-COVID days". The use of certain apps, such as social networking apps, produc- tivity apps (such as bank apps, time organiser apps, etc), enter- tainment apps and retail apps, is increasing. Overall, one notes an increase in the usage of most cat- egories of apps. This survey also confirmed the view that emerged in previous waves, namely that the Maltese are passive consumers of social media. 61% respondents to the survey just look at other persons' content and comments, without doing further action such as shar- ing content or creating new con- tent. Only 11% create new ma- terial and content on the social media and 45% share contents and comments they come across. A part of the survey focused on advertising. The results are show- ing that exposure to offline adver- tising is decreasing while exposure to online advertising is increasing. 66% stated that they are exposed to offline advertising, down from 86% in 2018, while 91% stated that they are exposed to online adver- tising, up from 80% in 2018. Respondents were asked where they prefer to watch / hear / read advertisements. In this wave of the survey social media have overtak- en television as the preferred me- dium. While there was a spike in 2021 for both media, the longer-term trend shows a slight decline for television and a slight increase for social media, to the point that 38% prefer to watch / hear / read advertisements on social media and 34% prefer television. Radio comes third. There is an evident decline for magazines and an increase for e-mail. Overall, 54% prefer to watch / hear / read advertise- ments on online media compared to 45% in 2018, while 63% prefer offline media, compared to 73% in 2018. 76% of respondents stated that they shop online. This is a slight increase over 2021 but is lower than the level achieved in 2020. Looking at longer term trends, the 2022 data shows an increase in online shoppers for clothing footwear and accessories, grocery products, make-up, beauty care products, healthcare products, and personal care products, car insurance and home appliances. The purchase of airline tickets and hotel stays has not yet recov- ered from the restrictions related to COVID. 87.5% of Maltese use internet, 85% access social networks at least once a day NICOLE MEILAK MALTA'S Commissioner for Standards George Hyzler has secured his position as a mem- ber of the European Court of Auditors after the European Parliament voted in his favour. Hyzler secured the post with 551 MEPs voting in his favour. Only 33 MEPs voted against him, while 45 MEPs abstained from the vote. Rapporteur MEP Angelika Winzig had put forward the proposal to the plenary to have Hyzler appointed as an auditor. Hyzler will replace Leo Brincat, Malta's appoint- ment to the European Court of Auditors, when his five- year term ends in September. Hyzler was nominated by the Maltese government, earlier this year. Hyzler currently occupies the post of Standards Com- missioner, a new role that came into being in 2018. His ethics investigations over the past few years have led to the resignation of former minis- ter Justyne Caruana and for- mer parliamentary secretary Rosianne Cutajar. He will have to step down from Standards Commission- er a year before his term ends. Several MEPs have congrat- ulated Hyzler for the vote, including PN MEP David Ca- sa and Labour MEP Josianne Cutajar. Opposition leader Bernard Grech similarly congratuled Hyzler, saying that his work "will definitely leave a posi- tive impact in this European institution". George Hyzler secures post in European Court of Auditors with strong majority George Hyzler