12 March 2007
In its continued efforts to provide a cross-sectoral response to corruption
and the promotion of integrity within the country, the National Anti-Corruption
Forum met on 12 March 2007. At the previous meeting of the NACF the focus was
on corruption in the Public Service through a discussion of the cases of
corruption reported to the National Anti-Corruption Hotline. Today's focus was
on the role of the media in the reporting of corruption and the extent of
corruption in the Private Sector.
The NACF received a presentation on investigative journalism on corruption
by the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF). The presentation provided
an overview of the reporting of corruption in the media and the areas of
prevalence. It was acknowledged that in most cases it is government that
exposes corruption, and that not enough positive articles are placed on the
good work that is being done in combating and preventing corruption. Rather,
high profile cases (such as the Jacob Zuma trial and Travelgate) are targeted.
Such reporting contributes to the negative psychosis of South Africa being
generally corrupt.
It noted that in the past year, the focus of the media has not only been on
government. According to SANEF, the media's attention has increasingly been
placed on the role of business in corruption.
Following the presentation there was a robust discussion on the role of the
media in fighting corruption. The participation of SANEF in the NACF was
welcomed. Participants questioned the role of the media in the reporting of
corruption. The feeling was the media should go beyond investigative reporting
to include a more empowering and educational role in creating understanding of
corruption, awareness of corruption reporting mechanisms and the rights of
citizens. Positive developments in the combating of corruption should be
reported upon more vigorously, and the need for diversification of the media
was also noted. The meeting emphasised the importance of a code of conduct for
editors, the need for a public peer review of the media and the importance for
the media to campaign for transparency within their own media houses.
It was indicated that in order to ensure that the media exercise its
responsibility ethically and in line with the Constitution, SANEF plays a
watchdog role and strives to exercise the freedom of expression enshrined in
the Constitution for the benefit of the public. It attempts to promote good and
ethical journalism and has encouraged newspapers to build investigative
journalism capacity. It is however wrong to exploit someone's plight in order
to sell newspapers.
The significance of the NACF as a cross-sectoral body was noted. This is the
first time in which the different stakeholders were able to engage the media on
its role.
The meeting was also presented with the findings of a base-line study on
corruption in the South African Private Sector. The purpose of the study was to
asses the nature and frequency of corruption within the private sector and the
instruments and mechanisms that are used for preventing, detecting and
responding to corruption. The sample of the study covered a total of 760
companies, 14 industry sectors and all of the nine provinces. The study showed
that bribes are offered or demanded mostly by another company followed by third
parties or intermediaries. It was also found that middle management is mostly
involved in accepting and demanding bribes as well as offering and paying
bribes.
The NACF welcomed the report by Business. The study confirms that corruption
takes place within the business sector as well as between the private and
public sectors. It also shows that there are limitations in the corporate
governance framework regarding specific anti-corruption facilities. It was
noted that deeper compliance to corporate governance is required. However,
efforts are under way in the amendment to the Companies Act to strengthen this.
Whistleblowing in particular requires greater attention. The study also showed
that co-operation with law enforcement agencies needs strengthening and that
79% of companies surveyed are not aware of the legal requirement to report
corruption to the South African Police Services.
The study showed a huge discrepancy between what people perceived and what
they experienced. Experience shows that bribes are offered in 11,5% of those
companies surveyed and yet the perception shows that 74% believe corruption
occurs because of poor ethical culture. This shows that negative perceptions
are one of the biggest challenges we have in the fight against corruption.
Civil Society announced the launch of the Whistleblowing School competition
in which learners will write essays about whistleblowing and related issues.
This is an attempt to promote a new understanding of whistleblowing with
learners.
The outcomes of the 2nd Meeting of the Pan African Anti-Corruption Bodies
and the Africa Forum on Fighting Corruption were discussed. The main issues
highlighted from these meetings were the need for African Countries to ratify
the African Union (AU) and regional anti-corruption conventions, the
domestication in law of these conventions, the establishment of the Advisory
Board within the AU, the need for greater awareness raising, better
co-ordination of anti-corruption initiatives, improved interstate co-ordination
and capacity building. These matters were underscored by the common
understanding of corruption and the need for leadership by example within the
continent and Member States.
This common understanding which includes an appreciation of the
multi-sectoral multifaceted character of corruption as well as the importance
of values and leadership encapsulated in a national integrity system is key to
effective anti-corruption strategies and their implementation. These approaches
will be included into the discourse and programme of the Global Forum V for
Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity to be held from 2 to 5 April
2007 at the Sandton Convention Centre. Key issues which will be discussed at
Global Forum V include strengthening actions for effective implementation of
anti-corruption measures, the role of civil society, law enforcement and
national integrity systems.
There was a discussion of the establishment of Provincial Anti-Corruption
Forum. Representatives of provinces reflected on progress with the
establishment of Provincial Forums. Progress is uneven among the provinces.
NACF encouraged the establishment of such Forums and better collaboration
between the provincial and national anti-corruption structures and look forward
to the eventual integration with the NACF.
Enquiries:
Lewis Rabkin
Cell: 082 497 3220
Humphrey Ramafoko
Cell: 082 782 1730
Issued by: National Anti-Corruption Forum
12 March 2007
