“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers” –Article 19, Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The media is one of the strongest weapons in showing the world the devastating effects of corruption and shining a light on those who would use their entrusted power for personal gain. An independent and free media is a cornerstone of democracy and a crucial component of a healthy governance system. But the methods used to silence journalists are real and many: criminal defamation, harassment and even death.
Each year, on 3 May, people around the globe celebrate World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness of the basic principles of press freedom, to honour those who died in the pursuit of truth and to serve as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom.
Transparency International (TI) supports and promotes a free and responsible press to seek accountability, to stop perpetrators from acting with impunity and to promote the transparency that empowers citizens to make informed decisions.
A strong alliance between the media and civil society organisations boosts the watchdog functions of both for the public good, and keeps accountability and transparency high on the world’s agenda.
The events in the Middle East and North Africa in 2011 have shown how social media can provide news ways for people to connect in places where traditional media is not free to operate. The New York Times reported on Egyptian businessman Khaled Said who was allegedly killed by plainclothes police officers after he published a video of police corruption on YouTube. He subsequently became the symbol of a people-led online campaign that mobilised hundreds of thousands of protestors.
Appropriately, the theme of World Press Freedom Day in 2011 is 21st Century Media: New Frontiers, New Barriers. This shift towards citizen reporting also brings with it new opportunities. But with the new, now-crowded public space given to citizen reporters and social media users, traditional journalists also play an essential role investigating wrongdoing, maintaining credibility and providing reports that serve the public good.
On 14 April 2011, respected Senegalese journalist Abdou Latif Coulibaly was found guilty of criminal defamation in connection with two articles published in La Gazette the previous year alleging government corruption. Coulibaly was given a three-month suspended jail sentence and fined 10 million CFA francs (US $22,157). Reporters Without Borders condemned the as “archaic” and “disproportionate”.
International organisations such as the UN Human Rights Committee have long expressed concerns over the use of criminal defamation laws to silence dissent. In many countries, these laws are subject to abuse by powerful social actors – such as government officials, civil servants or prominent businesspeople.
By prosecuting defamation under criminal rather than civil law, the risks of disproportionally harsh sanctions such as hefty fines, prison sentences and, in the case of journalists, suspensions on the right to practice their profession are great, according to freedom of expression group ARTICLE 19 which maps the existence and use of criminal defamation laws against journalists internationally.
Since 2000, Transparency International has honoured brave individuals and organisations that unmask corruption through its Integrity Awards programme. Coulibaly is one of nine journalists to receive an Integrity Award; four were given posthumously.
Last year’s winner, Sri Lankan journalist Poddala Jayantha, who uncovered a US$37 million tax scam, was kidnapped, tortured and dumped by the roadside in 2009. Jayantha has dedicated his career to fearlessly exposing injustice in Sri Lanka’s health, education and transport sectors. Permanently disabled, he now lives in exile. No arrests have been made and the case has since been dropped. |
|
Of the 861 journalists killed in direct reprisal for their work since 1992; 21 per cent were reporting on corruption, according to estimates from The Committee to Protect Journalists.
TI chapters around the world encourage, train and collaborate with journalists working on anti-corruption issues. TI also seeks to recognise journalistic excellence. Some highlights include:
The annual TI and Instituto Prensa y Sociedad (Press and Society Institute) Journalism Award, worth US $30,000, recognises outstanding investigative journalism in Latin American or Caribbean media. Last year’s first prize was awarded to Colombian journalists for their report on illegal government wire tapping which led to judicial investigations.
Nine young journalists from Asia were invited to report on the 14th International Anti-Corruption Conference by the hosts of the four-day conference and the Asia-Europe Network for Young Journalists
TI Sri Lanka holds training workshops on investigative journalism, teaching accurate and impact-oriented reporting. Some have uncovered regional corruption, forcing the authorities to take action.
Get involved
Stay tuned
Subscribe to our newsletter and receive periodic notifications about our, announcements, calls and activities via email.
Don't miss it
If you want to receive our announcements immediately after the publication, leave your e-mail address in the field below.