www.transparency.org www.cmi.no Overview of corruption in the media in developing countries Query Can you please give a short overview on corruption in the media in developing countries? Are there any recommendations, activities, best practices, structures (also inside the media) to counteract corrupt practices? Content resources, opaque or government controlled ownership structures, inadequate and undemocratic legal 1. Corruption in the media frameworks. Types of corruption in the media vary from 2. Fighting corruption in the media bribery in the form of cash for news, staged or fake 3. References news, gift giving, concealed advertisement to nepotism and capture by vested private or political interests. 4. Additional Information Fighting corruption in the media can involve a wide range of approaches, varying from raising awareness of Summary ethical standards, strengthening the freedom of the The media is often referred to as the fourth pillar in press, introducing adequate media policies and democracy. It has a key role to play in monitoring and legislation, promoting media accountability as well as investigating the actions of those in power and supporting investigative journalism through technical informing citizens about them. Yet, the media and training. journalists are not immune to corruption. While there is only limited research and awareness on corruption within the media, there is a broad consensus that the 1. Corruption in the media development of independent, legally protected, professionally managed, and economically viable news The role of the media in fighting media is essential for ensuring accountable, responsible and ethical media. corruption The literature on corruption and the media primarily In developing countries, the media is often confronted focuses on the role of the media in fighting corruption by a combination of factors that create fertile grounds and there is very limited research on corruption in the for corruption, such as lack of training and technical media. skills, low professional standards, limited financial Author(s): Mara Mendes, Transparency International, [email protected] Reviewed by: Marie Chêne, Transparency International, [email protected] and Robin Hodess, Transparency International, [email protected] Date: 27 February 2013 Number: 368 U4 is a web-based resource centre for development practitioners who wish to effectively address corruption challenges in their work. Expert Answers are produced by the U4 Helpdesk – operated by Transparency International – as quick responses to operational and policy questions from U4 Partner Agency staff. Corruption in the media The media is often referred to as the fourth pillar in technical skills, low professional standards, limited democracy and a free and independent press has a financial resources, inadequate legal frameworks and significant and important role in fighting corruption. an undemocratic political system, corruption in the Many studies have shown a strong positive correlation media is likely to further undermine the role that the between freedom of the press and control of corruption media can play in fighting corruption and promoting and emphasise the importance of media plurality, public accountability. This is reflected by Transparency media freedom and competition in curbing corruption International’s Global Corruption Barometer findings, (Fardigh et al. 2011; Brunetti and Weder 2003;; Freille which indicate that corruption in the media is an area of et al. 2007; Ahrend 2002). There is a broad consensus concern in many developing countries such as that a free press helps curbing corruption by improving Lebanon, Yemen, Pakistan, Bolivia, Zimbabwe, “citizens’ accessibility to information which in turn Ukraine, Malawi, Senegal, Peru, Afghanistan, Thailand, makes it more difficult for politicians and public servants Palestine, Zambia, South Sudan, and Malaysia to get away with corrupt behaviours. In particular, the (Transparency International 2010/2011). Various media plays a key role in exposing corruption and factors such as media regulations, media ownership, as raising general awareness of its detrimental effect upon well as resources and capacity can put the media’s society, as well as in promoting integrity and integrity and autonomy at risk and make them accountability norms, values and practices in society. vulnerable to corruption. Research has also shown that accountability and transparency tend to improve as the access to The legal framework information increases (Fardigh et al. 2011). Freedom of expression A country’s legal framework has a direct impact on the There are various ways in which the media can help space journalists have to do their work with integrity, combat and prevent corruption. A news story can have resist undue influence and report impartially. This is a direct and “tangible” effect, such as resulting in the particularly true for developing countries where launch of an investigation, impeachment, forced democratic structures are not well established. In such resignation of corrupt political leaders (Nogara 2009). settings, the media can be prevented from playing its watchdog role by specific restrictions imposed on their Media coverage of corruption can also have longer operations (Transparency International 2003). term, more indirect effects. The media can help mobilise the public against corruption and build Freedom of expression is one of the most important pressure for reforms. They can raise standards of preconditions for unbiased media coverage, from which public accountability by monitoring and investigating the the rights of the freedom of press and freedom of media actions of those who were granted public trust, derive. This right has been defined in article 19 of the exposing corruption cases, and increasing the costs Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and in and risks associated with corrupt behaviours. Informing article 19 of the UN Convenant on Civil and Political the public and presenting different points of views can Rights, which is considered one of the most important also encourage public participation as well as support instruments to the right to freedom of expression. All political competition by putting politicians under countries that are members of the UN are legally bound pressure to take a stand against corruption (Nogara to the UN Convenant on Civil and Political Rights 2009). (Berger 2007). Factors likely to influence the However, not all of the UN member countries abide by the UN Convenant at the national level. In developing integrity of the media countries, limits to freedom of expression can take However, the media can be hampered to fulfill its role many forms such as censorship exercised by the as a watchdog by obstacles such as restrictions on government (e.g. blocking of websites in China), press freedom, market failures, lack of professional oppressive regulatory systems (e.g. Saudi Arabia and standards, weak civil society, and limitations in media Belarus); the dominance of state media (North Korea literacy and public access to the media (Norris and and Cuba) and imprisonment of and violence against Odugbemi 2010). journalists (Eritrea, Uzbekistan, Syria) (Committee to Protect Journalists 2012). In Myanmar, for example, In developing countries, where the media often faces until 2012, journalists were subject to direct censorship major challenges in the form of lack of training and www.U4.no 2 Corruption in the media and had to submit reports to state censors before Right to access to information publication. A very closely related right to the freedom of expression is the right to access information, providing that the In some countries, freedom of expression is restricted government of a country discloses relevant official by specific legal provisions limiting the scope of media information to its citizens and provides access to coverage. For example, in Jordan, amendments to the information for journalists. This enables newsgathering penal code states that coverage on issues that ‘could in a timely, accurate and neutral manner and prevents breach national unity, divide the population or damage self-censorship. the image and the reputation of the state’ will lead to prison sentences for journalists that breach this law. Developing countries often do not have adequate legal Another example is Saudi Arabia where internet provisions for the right to information. For example, a providers are obliged to keep track of users who access 2010 study suggests that fewer than 7.5 percent of forbidden websites (Transparency International 2003). African countries have an enforceable right to Elsewhere government officials are protected from information law (Darch and Underwood 2010). While media criticism and exposure, making it hard for some progress has been made in recent years and an journalists to operate. increasing number of countries provide for access to information in their constitutions and laws, many still In other countries, a restrictive legal framework can also deny their citizens access to public files in practice due threaten journalists’ security. In such countries, while to a wide range of obstacles such as lack of political freedoms of speech and of the press may be leadership, a culture of secrecy, low public awareness, constitutionally protected, they are not respected in resources and capacity challenges as well as practice, as media regulations often do not provide institutional barriers (GSDRC 2010). adequate protection