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The past year saw little progress in tackling global corruption due to greater violence and insecurity, according to the organization Transparency International. Their annual index measures citizens’ perceptions of the level of corruption. As Henry Ridgwell reports, there are some encouraging signs that corruption is being successfully tackled in Africa.
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((PLAYBOOK SLUG: Global Corruption Report
HEADLINE: Global Corruption Worsens, But Africa Makes Progress
TEASER: Corruption and violence ‘creating vicious spiral,’ says Transparency International report
PUBLISHED AT: 0 1/31/2023 at
BYLINE: Henry Ridgwell
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: London
VIDEOGRAPHER: Henry Ridgwell
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: MAS, Bowman
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Teams, AFP, Reuters, APTN
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB _X_ TV _X_ RADIO __
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TYPE: VPKGN
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO)) [[The past year saw little progress in tackling global corruption due to greater violence and insecurity, according to the organization Transparency International. Their annual index measures citizens’ perceptions of the level of corruption. As Henry Ridgwell reports, there are some encouraging signs that corruption is being successfully tackled in Africa.]]
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF SOUTH SUDAN, SOMALIA, SYRIA STREET SCENES))
((NARRATOR))
For the sixth year running, South Sudan, Syria and Somalia are at the bottom of Transparency International’s Corruption Perception index.
The report says conflict and corruption create a vicious cycle.
((Roberto Kukutschka, Transparency International (in English) ))
“Having weak and corrupt police and defense sectors - including also here other law enforcement organizations, or institutions such as the courts or the judiciary itself - it is very unlikely that we will be able to tackle organized crime or the effects of organized crime and terrorism.”
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF RUSSIAN INVASION))
The report says Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last February exemplifies the threat that corruption poses for global security. The authors say Russian oligarchs have amassed fortunes by pledging loyalty to President Vladimir Putin – who operates with impunity in the absence of any checks on power.
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF ATTACK ON BRAZIL PARLIAMENT))
Transparency International says perceived corruption worsened in Brazil under former president Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro’s supporters attacked the parliament, supreme court and presidential palace following his election loss in January.
((Roberto Kukutschka, Transparency International (in English) ))
“It is much easier for corruption to occur when these checks and balances are weaker. That's why one of our main recommendations this year and also in the past has been to really focus on establishing very clear separation of powers across the judiciary, the legislature and the executive whenever we have those three branches of power.”
((VIDEO: VOA FOOTAGE OF COPENHAGEN, HELSINKI))
The index ranks 180 countries by the perceived level of corruption, using data from thirteen external sources including the World Bank. Denmark, Finland and Norway top the index.
((VIDEO: VOA FOOTAGE OF LONDON))
But several European countries are at historic lows – including Britain, which has slipped ten places in the past five years following a series of political scandals.
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF ANGOLA, IVORY COAST, SENEGAL))
Some African nations have made significant progress – including Angola, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia and Senegal.
((Roberto Kukutschka, Transparency International (in English) ))
“Seven of the twenty-four countries that we see improving are actually in Africa, so this is one of the regions that is stuck at the bottom of the index, but where we also see progress happening.”
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF ATTACK ON BRAZIL PARLIAMENT))
Transparency International said governments must do more to tackle corruption – by reinforcing checks and balances on power and upholding rights to information.
((Henry Ridgwell, for VOA News, London.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateFebruary 1, 2023 07:55 EST
BylineHenry Ridgwell
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
