U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre

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

  1. The power of media in fighting corruption
  2. Prerequisites for media’s effectiveness as an anti-corruption tool
  3. Examples of media types and genres and anti-corruption
  4. Media, anti-corruption and gender
  5. 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

Close search

Responsive versions of the site in progress.