The Star online | KUALA LUMPUR, 17-Nov-2009 : Newspapers and television are still the major source of information on corruption for the public despite the existence of blogs and online news portals, a survey found.
Although the survey by Merdeka Centre showed that only 521 of the 1,241 Malaysians asked could identify any case of corruption highlighted, more than half of them or 270 were satisfied or somewhat satisfied by the performance of traditional media.
However, respondents in the survey generally wanted to see more reports on corruption from newspapers and television compared to what had already been highlighted.
“While Malaysians agreed that the media was the key in eradicating corruption and improving transparency, only a third of the respondents felt that it was effective in its role,” said Merdeka Centre director Ibrahim Suffian.
Those surveyed also felt that media coverage on corruption would have a positive impact, instead of tarnishing the country’s image, while 48% thought that prevalent laws were hindering their role.
The poll also showed that 83% of the respondents believed that the media had a role in improving integrity and transparency in the country and that younger people were more interested in cases of corruption.
Interviews for the survey – commissioned by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) – were conducted by telephone on respondents aged 20 years and above, selected randomly, based on their states of residence, gender, ethnicity and age groups.
CIJ executive director Gayathry Venkites-waran said the media must be allowed to play a more active role if the Government wanted to be perceived as serious in combating corruption.
“The media can do so by producing more investigative journalism and critical pieces to further inform the public on the threats of corruption,” she said.