Number of press articles on corruption up 30%

The number of press articles on corruption, in eight publications monitored by the Independent Journalism Center (IJC), hiked 30% in October, as 96 articles were published, Info-Prim Neo has learnt from a report compiled by the IJC. Most of the articles appeared in Ziarul de garda (18) and Timpul (17), followed by Moldova Suverana (16) and Jurnal de Chisinau (14). Nezavisimaia Moldova published 10 articles envisaging corruption in some way or another, SP and Novoe Vremea by 8, and Vesti Gagauzii – 5 articles. The concrete cases of corruption unveiled represent 23% of the total materials on the issue, the articles on anti-corruption – 19%, on mismanaging public funds – 14.5%, in some 7% of articles, the corruption is tackled generally, the study shows. Most of the considered materials, 73% of the total of relevant articles envisaged the corruption phenomenon directly, and every fourth article tackles corruption as a secondary topic. Jurnal de Chisinau and Timpul are the newspapers having published most of the articles stressing corruption in October, by 14 each. The largest number of sources were sued by Ziarul de garda (3.1 sources per material) and Jurnal de Chisinau (2.9 sources). Timpul follows with 2.4 sources, SP – 2.3 and Moldova Suverana – 2.1. Those 8 radio and TV stations monitored aired a total of 244 news stories and programs matching the topic. The broadcasters mostly mirrored anti-corruption programs and strategies – 32% of the total. Some 27% of the reports contained accusations-statements related to corruption, and 23% referred to concrete cases of corruption. The rest of the relevant reports dealt with mismanaging public funds (14%) and corruption in general (3%). The report is part of the program “Mirroring corruption in media” of the IJC, within the Program on Strengthening the Monitoring Capacity of the Civil Society from Moldova, implemented by the Academy of Educational Development (AED), with the support of IREX. The Program is funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and managed by the USAID within the Country Threshold Program for Moldova.