The local media outlets and civil society organizations are not perceived by the population as having real influence in the process of fighting corruption. Therefore, the local and regional NGOs and the local press must work more intensely so as to reach the consumers of information and contribute thus to the diminution of corruption in the country, director of the Center “Contact” Sergey Neicovcen said within the presentation of the results of a survey of the perception of corruption in the local public administration.

In a news conference at IPN, Sergey Neicovcen warned the poll results show that most of the respondents are sure that the level of corruption is much lower in local civil society organizations and media outlets, but do not consider that these have an influence in the fight against corruption.

According to the Center’s director, this perception persists because some do not know about the nongovernmental organizations working in their communities and the local press, which is not visible. Civil society and the press must be more active and carry out more activities in this field.

Sergey Neicovcen noted that the events designed to train and prepare for fighting corruption are very seldom at the local level, these being concentrated in the capital city. In this respect, the Center “Contact” implements the project “Transparency and accountability of local authorities through CSOs - mass media joint activities” with financial support from the EU.

A sociological survey of the perception of corruption at the local level was carried within this project. Some results of this poll, according to the authors, are paradoxical. Most of the respondents believe that the main state institutions are the most corrupt, but these are also considered responsible for fighting corruption.

According to the survey, the local NGOs and media outlets are not well known. Only 15.3% of those polled confirmed their existence, while almost half of the respondents said they know nothing about these. However, each eighth respondent said that both the NGOs and the mass media must become more involved in the corruption fighting process.

The survey was carried out in six territorial administrative units, namely Telenesti, Criuleni, Rezina, Calarasi, Cimislia, and Balti.