Co-opting Media in the Anti-Corruption Revolution
Theologically or philosophically corruption refers to spiritual or moral impurity or deviation from an ideal. This in so many cases takes the form of contrasting the spiritual form with a corrupted manifestation in the physical world. That is why many philosophers, including Plato, regarded this world as inevitably corrupt. Morally speaking corruption is decadence or self-gratification. It is a concept which is used in political and theological debates when describing a deviation by some people from the older correct view.
There is also political corruption which refers to using political office for private gain. Corruption is generally defined as the use or abuse of public office for private gain. From an economic perspective, undesirable consequences of corruption involve increases in the costs of legal dealings and distributional concerns associated with favouring haves over have-nots. Conversely, corrupt acts might lead in some instances to efficiency gains for the haves. Its forms include bribery, extortion, cronyism, nepotism; patronage, graft, and embezzlement which all combined to breed money laundering, 419, stealing of public funds and in our case looting it altogether.
Corruption has been the main cause of poverty, deprivation, illiteracy and underdevelopment in most countries of Asia and Africa. The World Bank has estimated that about $1tr are paid every year in bribery, a fairly substantial figure, given that e.g. the total size of the world economy in 2001-2002 was $30 trillion, (Goel and Nelson, 2004). Realising the menace of corruption around the world, the United Nations seek cooperation of all countries of the world to fight this scourge. In December 2003 it adopted the UN Convention Against Corruption which was signed by over 140 countries, including Nigeria. This translated to the formation of anti-graft agencies, including the EFCC to tackle one of the problem regarded as epidemic in Nigeria; corruption.
It is very difficult to list the major causes of corruption in our society, first tracing the beginning of corruption in our political life is like tracing the origin of our transition from traditional society to a more modern and sophisticated life. Scholars like Smith and Wraith (1963) are of the view that corruption has been with societies throughout history, for instance they argue that corruption in many societies in Northern Nigeria for instance was an adaptation of traditional gift-giving to meet new circumstances. But others like Bryce (1921) argue that corruption is greatly caused by inequality in distribution of wealth, regarding of political office as the primary means of gaining access to wealth, conflict between changing moral codes, the weakness of social and governmental enforcement mechanisms and the absence of a strong sense of national community or patriotism.
Others argue that our need to be corrupted is driven by obligation to help others in need, to educate our children and those of the relatives; feeding kinsmen, and organised feast and funerals etc, which in essence means either the government has failed in its obligation or our Nigerian factor of free for all market or jungle where anything goes, as each trying to grab his own share by all means is fully in work.
There is no justifiable explanation for corruption in our society from the least to the greatest amount and in any capacity. Corruption is so entrenched in our society that it has become very hard to eliminate, it is sort of like a trap, that hooked the nation and we find it very difficult to get out of it. Whenever we try to get out we get even more trapped. There are many countries that have been trapped by corruption with no clear end in sight, Nigeria inclusive. Corruption is so rampant and well-established in almost all facets of our lives – the police, media, civil service, politicians, and ordinary people on the street and what have you. It has gone to the extent that receipts are issued for bribes with no guilt. The enormous impact of corruption is felt especially by the ones who don't have enough money for their daily needs; the poor who are daily struggling to survive.
Without getting ahead of our story, we can aptly point out the important role the mass media can play in the war against corruption. Media is an integral part of our society and contribution of media to societal development cannot be overemphasized. Scholars like Schramm (1962 and 1979) have identified how media can be effectively used in societal transformation and change. Schramm specifically argued that rather than seeing the media as an independent force to bring about change, it should be seen as part of communication system. Although he was quick to point out that the media alone cannot be very effective in changing strongly held attitudes or values, they help in building a climate of change. In this sense the media could be seen as playing a supporting role not a leading role in changing the society.
Recently, the EFCC launched what will be regarded as a well coined and down to earth campaign meant to involve all Nigerians in the fight against corruption and secure their input at every stage of the war; the Anti Corruption Revolution. The crusade as commendable as it is however, we have to point out that programmes like this usually start with a fanfare but end right there where they were launched. This is largely due to political reasons and the way corrupt and dishonest leaders filled our political landscape. Remember the Fix Nigeria Initiative (FNI) employed by Nuhu Ribadu when he was at EFCC. Secondly, because the very people these programmes are meant to serve have no idea about them. This is where the media and the civil society organisations can play a vital role in this revolution.
The media especially can play an important role in the Anti Corruption Revolution. It is the best tool to inform people of corruption. When we say media here we are not referring to only the conventional form of media – the newspapers, radio or television, but we should go further to look at other options like traditional communication; inter-personal and group communication, which are the most effective but costly, and the new media; the internet and mobile phones. The convergence between the traditional, modern and the new media - newspaper editorial columns, serious political debate and hard-hitting, watchdog journalism can reach large audience, uninterrupted and with less gate-keeping via the internet and the mobile phone.
Newspapers, TV and radio today seem to be more about celebrity reporting or what we call protocol reporting here in Nigeria, complete with entertainment news, film reviews and fashion. Needless to say, serious news, debates and hard hitting journalism can reach the well-wired elite that used to take newspapers seriously via the Internet. With a more focused, better written, and alternative to legacy media, cyber news can serve as an alternative or subordinate to the conventional media when it comes to real debate, policy analysis, and political journalism.
Therefore, the Nigerian government and the anti-graft agencies success in relaying the Anti Corruption Revolution message will largely depend on the approach taken and their seriousness about the revolution. The government depends on the media to enlighten people and to present them with the correct information that will help them to reveal fraudulence and expose the dishonest.
We have no reason for now to dismiss the latest anti corruption revolution as another diversionary tactics employed by the ruling elites to make the people believe they meant well for the country, but we have to state that corrupt people will try all what they can to get media on their side, either by threats, buying them or other ways until the media sometimes falls in with their racket. Considering the low income of most journalists, they could easily fall victim to bribery and the financial gain possible, but if other suggestions are followed like the Internet, mobile phones and the inter-personal communication, from top to bottom the revolution will succeed. Corrupt people will never fight corruption, but with determination, sincerity of purpose the media can do a lot to spread the ills which corruption brought in our society. If that fails then we are bound to loose one of the most important weapons in the fight against corruption. The work of the media in revealing corruption is no less than that of the laws or committees that observe and follow corruption. When media discovers secrets, it will not keep them. If any act of corruption happens it should be exposed in an open and transparent environment and be subject to inquiries. The media’s efforts to gain people’s confidence fails because of the contradiction and corrupt behaviour of high ranking figures in society who loot public monies and go free unquestioned, we have to use confident media and credible people to deliver the message of fighting corruption.
To say corruption undermines the moral standards of society, endangers democracy, deprives citizens of their rights and blocks development is an understatement. The media’s role is not only to inform the public about facts and statements. An active role in public education and supporting the fight against corruption is necessary. This can only be achieved if our political and public representatives – especially the National Assembly, do clearly state their attitude about the fight against corruption before entering political elections. They can do this by setting an example through publicly declaring their assets and income. They should also understand that the public has a right to be informed about their work and private life.
The government has to embrace openness towards the media and public as well as a transparent decision making process. Appropriate timing is essential for complete and just access to information about public matters. Full support, both institutional and legal has to be provided to the media in their role of public criticizers. This includes the right to access to information that is given with full responsibility, correct, complete, checkable and official. That is why it is very important for the National Assembly to pass the Freedom of Information Bill. The belief is that, passing the Bill will make government and governance open and transparent. It will also make budget monitoring and tracking simple and easier. Nigerians should be able to question the activities of their elected representatives.
Nigerians are ready to support any sincere and honest move to fight corruption. The Anti Corruption Revolution if judiciously followed will salvage the country from the present predicament it finds itself and bring about honesty, transparency and accountability in government.
Kabiru Danladi,
Lawanti Village, KM25,
Along Gombe-Bauchi Road,
Akko LGA, Gombe State,
Nigeria.
kblondon2003@yahoo.com
08054546764, 08035150369