A Senegalese journalist is among the three winners of this year's Integrity Awards given by Transparency International (TI) for contributions to the fight against corruption in their countries. The 2005 Integrity Awards were given to Abdou Latif Coulibaly, an investigative journalist from Senegal; Khairiansyah Salman, an auditor at the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) in Indonesia; and an independent Israel-based watchdog, the Movement for Quality Government (MQG).
"The individuals receiving our award are heroes who stood up in the face of corruption and succeeded in improving the lives of their countrymen. Thanks to them and to others who put their lives on the line every day, tolerance towards thieving public officials and opaque dealings are giving way to more transparent practices around the world," TI Chairman Peter Eigen said announcing the awards recipients on November 11.
A TI press release said Coulibaly, an eminent journalist who, for ten years, has devoted himself to the fight against corruption, was nominated by TI's national chapter in Senegal, Forum Civil. Coulibaly is the head of the first Senegalese private press group. He is an outspoken contributor to the fight against corruption, ensuring its place on the agenda of Senegal's public administration and its development partners. Coulibaly has brought to light the biggest financial scandals, embezzlement cases, and irregularities in public contracting. After he published a book in 2003 on the government's poor governance practices, he suffered serious pressure and death threats, and has been the object of the political elite's spite.
Coulibaly was quoted by TI as saying, "What have I done to fight corruption? My weapon is journalism... I have no other means to fight corruption other than my pen. I use words to fight corruption. Fighting corruption means that you are helping your citizens to live in a world that if not completely egalitarian, is at least more fair, where people are rewarded on merit and effort and not because of their dishonesty."
Senegal boasts a sturdy, functioning democracy. Its large and diverse press is one of the strongest on the continent, and journalists enjoy a degree of freedom unimaginable in many parts of West Africa, according to Alexis Arieff, research associate for the Africa programme of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Many Senegalese journalists believe that the country's repressive media laws, even if rarely enforced, pose a long-term threat to press freedom.
Roughly 20 criminal defamation cases are brought against journalists in Senegal every year, although journalists rarely go to prison. Even when journalists are found guilty, judges do not typically issue detention orders. But the mere existence of criminal sanctions has a chilling effect on the media and inhibits a free press, Arieff wrote earlier this year in a report, "Freedom.. with limits."
The Transparency International Integrity Awards were created to recognise the courage and determination of the many individuals and organisations fighting corruption around the world. Launched in 2000, the Integrity Awards honour the bravery of individuals and organisations around the globe whose efforts are making a distinct difference in curbing corruption. The programme's goal is to give greater recognition to the efforts of journalists, civil society activists, government and corporate whistleblowers who work to investigate and unmask corruption, often at great personal risk.
Salman is an auditor at the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) in Indonesia who revealed grand corruption in the procurement activities of the General Election Commission and then exposed the bribery of the commission's members. This act angered the head of the BPK and Salman was accused of violating the code of conduct. He was then openly accused in the media of entrapping the commission member to bribe him. Salman who is protected under the Corruption Eradication Commission's witness protection scheme (KPK) is now working with the Aceh and Nias Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Agency (BRR). His cooperation with the KPK has enabled the Commission to uncover a $2.1 million scandal in the General Electoral Commission which involved virtually all of its members. Nominated by TI Indonesia, Salman has shown that one whistleblower can tackle corruption. He is a role model for millions of Indonesians.
The Movement for Quality Government (MQG) was nominated by SHVIL Israel, the Israeli chapter of TI. MQG is recognised as the nation's pre-eminent government watchdog organisation, increasing public awareness of corruption in Israel. This apolitical and independent movement keeps the pressure on the government to address social and civic issues despite it's preoccupation with security issues. MQG's has helped to install principles of sound public administration and quality government by shining the light on secret coalition agreements, and exposing financial arrangements connected to the state's annual budget, establishing a rule requiring "Special Skills" for political appointments.
The two nominees from the shortlisted five who missed out on the awards are both from India. Arvind Kejriwal was nominated by the Ashoka Foundation. Kejriwal is helping to empower citizens by creating a sustainable model for systemic change, to move people to action. His organisation, Parivartan is more than just a conduit to expose corruption. Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) was nominated by the US based Centre for Victims of Torture. MKSS, a grassroots organisation in rural Rajasthan, spearheads the campaign for the Right to Information at the local, state and national levels.
