Polls must be held in a way that nobody buys anybody
Transparency International (TI) Chair Dr Huguette Labelle yesterday said Bangladesh should have laws guaranteeing access to information to combat corruption effectively.
Addressing a seminar on "Role of Media in Fighting Corruption”, she said investigative journalism could be a powerful tool to uncover graft and corruption. In the best interests of the nation the government must ensure safety and freedom for the journalists, she added.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), accredited national chapter of Berlin-based TI, organised the seminar at the city's Brac Centre Inn. The discussion was followed by TIB annual investigative journalism award ceremony.
TIB board of trustees Chairman Prof Muzaffer Ahmad chaired the session that was moderated by TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman.
In the national category, Weekly Bichitra's staff reporter Shukdeb Sana won the award for his report on “Fraud in the name of diagnostic service” while it was HM Alauddin in the regional category for his series report on “Condition of health service in Khulna city”. The award in electronic media category went to Sujan Kabir of Bangla Vision for his report on corruption at Pabna Mental Hospital.
In her keynote speech, Dr Labelle touched on a number of issues including independence of the judiciary and oversight institutions like the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), conduct of free and fair elections, and transparency in finances of the political parties.
“We'll never get rid of poverty unless corruption is approached in a much more aggressive way,” she added.
Describing an independent judiciary as an essential prerequisite to promoting good governance and fighting corruption successfully, she said separation of the judiciary from the executive is “a great gift” for the citizens of Bangladesh and a milestone for the justice system.
Stressing the importance of transparency at the finance ministry, revenue, treasury and budget, Labelle said, “Everything should be accounted for and known to people.”
A survey conducted among 60,000 people across 69 countries found parliamentarians to be perceived as the most corrupt. Next came political parties and police, she said.
Corruption cannot be rooted out unless the lawmakers are honest, observed the TI chief urging the government to take measures so that there is transparency in finances of the election candidates.
She said there must be a cap on donation to the political parties and it has to be ensured that nobody is buying anybody.
She said the private sector is on the supply side of graft and they create havoc by providing huge bribes to get mega projects in mining, oil and gas sectors.
“There are many examples that the companies having zero tolerance policy to corruption are making money.”
Emphasising the need for strengthening the oversight institutions, she welcomed the government steps to overhaul those. “It's wonderful that the Anti-Corruption Commission has been reconstituted and is now mandated to carry out necessary tasks.”
She hoped that the watchdog institutions will be more vigilant and independent and adequately resourced.
Labelle, who was chairman of the Canadian Public Service Commission from 1985 to 1990, said ways should be worked out to create a culture of integrity in the service. There should be greater transparency to make sure truly meritorious people come to the public service.
Speaking about the role of investigative journalism, she said the fight against corruption is unthinkable without writing of some courageous individuals.
Investigative journalism has had great impact in Asia and other regions, she said adding: “The role of investigative journalists becomes even more important where the judiciary is weak.”
She said the media acts as the eye and ear of the people but cautioned that the fruits of investigative journalism sometimes come at a high cost.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 55 newsmen were killed last year and 54 till date this year. Fourteen of the 58 killed in 2005 were investigating corruption.
She noted, "Investigative journalism faces challenge also from within the media. There is an alarming tendency of self-censorship that is linked to conflict of economical pressure and informing freely.”
She expects the media to be totally independent, and “not to be captured”. “We want to see the media allows itself to speak the truth, be able to denounce, but also to inform when there are constructive steps.”
Turning to the current investment trends in Bangladesh, Dr Labelle said there might be a slowdown during an interim period when investors wait to see how things develop.
“An economic slowdown due to anti-corruption measures certainly has not been our experience in other countries around the world,” said the chair of the TI board.
Companies, she points out, are more likely to invest when they feel that their money is not going down the drain for bribes anymore.
Noted jurist Dr Kamal Hossain observed that corruption disempowers and spreads poverty. “We want investment, and we want growth for all, not just for the corrupt ones.”
Also a member of the TI advisory council, he assessed that up to now a good part of investments has gone to Singapore and other offshore financial havens.
Replying to a query from the audience, Dr Labelle said an increase in wages in the public sector would help fight graft. If less money is leaking out of the system, there would be more funds left to pay adequate salaries.
However, money alone is not going to solve all problems, she concluded citing the example of Azerbaijan where the policemen's salaries have been quadrupled.
“After four weeks, it turned out that the policemen were no longer working on the streets because they needn't collect bribes anymore,” she continued.
She also pointed up introduction of training, strong incentives and disincentives as well.
Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, a renowned public health activist, suggested that members of important public bodies should disclose their income, mentioning former caretaker government adviser Fazlul Haque's name being on the list of graft suspects.
Samson H Chowdhury, chairman of Square Group, called for establishing accountability at all levels of official functions.
Agreeing with him, Dr Labelle said, “People should disclose their assets not only at the beginning of and exit from an official function but also along the way.”
Concerns that a public disclosure could render someone wealthy vulnerable to crime could be addressed by providing the information “at a minimum to an independent body”, she said.
Truth commissions can work very well if they are allowed to be pervasive and powerful over many years, she said mentioning the example of South Africa. But if there is little scope for reconciliation the regular justice system would probably be more useful, she reasoned.
Development institutions should make sure they do not become part of the problem while putting large amounts of money without accountability, Dr Labelle said. “The donors need to do a corruption-risk analysis and share the results with the government.”
She warned against focussing too much on aggregate economic data while measuring achievements. “In Latin America, we've seen income per capita multiply but all the money was in the hands of 20 families.”
Dr Labelle praised Bangladesh for being among the early ones to ratify the UN convention against corruption and expressed hope that the country will also ensure a strong and independent monitoring system.
Talking about the proposal for including cyber journalism in the TIB's journalism awards, Prof Muzaffer Ahmad said that the board of trustees will look into the matter as “it is now taking root in Bangladesh as well”.
About the possibility of introducing an award for radio journalism, he said there are only a few radio channels on private ownership at the moment.
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