This Anti-Corruption Helpdesk brief was produced in response to a query from a U4 Partner Agency. The U4 Helpdesk is operated by Transparency International in collaboration with the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre based at the Chr. Michelsen Institute.
Query
What are the linkages between various genres of media and anti-corruption? To the extent possible, please include the nexus between gender equality and media.
Summary
The media can play a paramount role in exposing corruption and initiating legal, political and penal action against it. Different media genres unfold their respective strengths and show their limits as anti-corruption tools depending the different levels of on which they take effect, on the audiences they address and on the broader media ecosystem on which they rely.
Contents
- The power of media in fighting corruption
- Prerequisites for media’s effectiveness as an anti-corruption tool
- Examples of media types and genres and anti-corruption
- Media, anti-corruption and gender
- References
Main points
- The media can inform and educate people about the detrimental effects of corruption and, through exposure, increase the political risk of those involved in corrupt practices.
- Fierce competition for audiences means some media outlets aim to entertain and amuse than to inform and mobilise people for reform.
- Professional ethics and skills, protection from oppression and physical abuse, independence, sufficient resources and accessibility are necessary for the media to have an effect on anti-corruption efforts.
Authors
Wasil Schauseil
Reviewers
David Jackson, U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre and Nieves Zúñiga, Transparency International
Date
20/06/2019
Tags
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