Media coverage of corruption needs improvement, say experts
A new report by the Independent Press Association (API) found that the media in Moldova needs to improve its coverage of corruption. The report, which analysed coverage of corruption in four key areas - education, health care, social protection, and agriculture - found that the media is generally doing a good job, but that there is room for improvement.
The report found that the media is focused more on corruption in the justice system than on corruption in the social sectors. It also found that the media needs to do a better job of using analytical and investigative journalism to expose cases of corruption.
"The media needs to cover corruption in a more systematic and analytical way," said Ion Bunduchi, an expert with the API. "It needs to use a wider range of journalistic genres, including investigative journalism, to shed light on corruption cases. And it needs to avoid simply reporting on allegations of corruption that are not supported by evidence."
Petru Macovei, the director of the API, said that investigative journalism is essential in a society that is still struggling with corruption.
"The media can influence the political agenda," Macovei said. "We have seen this happen repeatedly in Moldova. As a result of debates on television, important things have happened in the political arena, such as the passage of laws and the resignation of officials. We hope that this change will lead to more high-profile corruption cases and convictions in the years to come."
According to the API report, Radio Moldova is the second-best performing institution in terms of coverage of corruption, with a score of 26 out of 30.
The report recommends that the media prioritise coverage of corruption, especially in the four key areas identified in the report.
