That press freedom is a nemesis of corruption is self-evident. Even then, two recent assessments of the two civic entities provide intriguing insight into their interface.
One report is the 2013 index of press freedom issued by Reporters Without Borders. The other is a stinging report about the scope of corruption in the countries that constitute the European Union.
According to the report, Corruption alone is estimated to cost the EU economy EUR 120 billion per year, just a little less than the annual budget of the European Union.
In a press conference announcing the report, Cecilia Malmstrm, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, reflected on the implications in terms usually associated with African and other developing countries.
Corruption erodes trust in public institutions and in democracy, it undermines our internal market, it hampers foreign investment, it costs taxpayers millions, and in many cases it helps organised crime groups do their dirty work, Malmstrm said.
Malmstrm additionally cited a survey by Eurobarometer that found that 76 per cent of Europeans believe that corruption is widespread in their respective countries.
One in 12 Europeans has experienced or witnessed corruption in the last 12 months, and four out of 10 European companies consider corruption to be an obstacle for doing business within the EU, Malmstrm said.
For Westernpundits who comment condescendingly on others corruption as though there is something genetic about it, the EU report calls for attitude adjustment.
However, apologists of Nigerias corruption shouldnt find too much of a vindication either. While the report clearly indicates that corruption is not exclusive to any region of the world, it also makes clear that its prevalence is a relative matter. And its containment requires persistent pressure and vigilance from all, including the press.
In noting the significance of the EU corruption report, Malmstrm said: This is all the more worrying in times of economic and financial crisis. In order to pull Europe from the brink of the crisis, we need to attack corruption effectively by pulling efforts from all sides.The report will hopefully provide everyone politicians, the public, media and practitioners with a useful tool for taking national corruption policy forward.
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