THE media acts as a bipartisan observer which reports to the public on the functioning of the democratic process. Within this framework, investigative journalism plays a crucial role in the fight against corruption.
In 2016, the Panama Papers were released by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists exposing the complex methods used to conceal beneficial ownership of companies, an effort involving 370 investigative journalists in 76 countries working in 25 languages.
They exposed 143 politicians, including 12 national leaders, their families and close associates, who used offshore tax havens to avoid paying taxes and conceal their wealth via secretive offshore companies. Malaysians were also on the list.
Investigative journalism exposes fraud, abuse of power and misuse of public funds practised on a large scale using elaborate schemes, usually with state sanction — commonly referred to as institutional corruption. The Panama Papers were a good example.
Today in Malaysia, too often we see reports and allegations of corruption over a prolonged period of time. What is expected is, these will trigger investigations by the authorities. This year, more than RM2.5 billion was seized and frozen by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Journalists must understand the basic rules of corruption investigations and the common methods used to perpetrate corrupt acts. They must be able to uncover how unethical politicians and public officials misuse public funds, collude with the private sector, hide their actions and live beyond their means.
Among the main areas is the procurement process. Abuse can occur in many forms, including conflict of interest, abuse of power, embezzlement, fraud and collusion. Based on complaints received by MACC between 2013 and 2018, procurement fraud topped the list of sectors prone to corruption at 42.8 per cent.
One major element that can determine the effectiveness of investigative journalism is the level of media freedom and ability of journalists to work without fear. According to The Guardian on Dec 30, 2017, media freedom around the world fell to its lowest level in a decade, with journalists threatened by government censorship and organised crime.
Malaysia showed significant improvement, leaping 22 spots to 101st place in the 2020 World Press Freedom index by non-profit group Reporters Without Borders, outranking Indonesia (119), the Philippines (136), Myanmar (139), Thailand (140), Cambodia (144), Brunei (152), Singapore (158), Laos (172) and Vietnam (175).
For this year's World Press Freedom Day, with the theme "Journalism Without Fear or Favour", the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia highlighted "the significance of respecting and protecting the right to freedom of opinion and expression".
We have seen encouraging examples of investigative journalism here. In 2015, reporting of the grisly discovery of mass graves and human trafficking camps involving foreign refugees at Wang Kelian near our northern border resulted in the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry. Unfortunately, the results of the probe remain unpublished and the real masterminds are still not prosecuted.
This month, the expose of an alleged syndicate colluding with enforcement agencies to pass off non-halal meat as halal has raised much concern. The allegation that this scheme has been operating with impunity for 40 years makes it even more shocking. One hopes this case will be investigated and acted upon decisively by the authorities.
These examples are encouraging in our continued fight against corruption. Journalists should be granted protection from being sued or prosecuted. In return, journalists must remain objective. Good investigative reports clearly show the evidence and ensure the sources corroborate the allegations, helping law enforcement agencies complete investigations faster.
They should also have good sources, including relying on whistleblowers. Protection of whistleblowers based on the right to freedom of expression must be provided. To improve, they should form a local association and undergo specific training. In some countries, investigative journalists take their work to a new level by working together with data scientists to target high-profile fraudsters.
Younger investigative journalists, especially those from Gen Z, should take advantage of digital technology and data analytical tools to uncover information and build their case. We need investigative journalists who are brave, sincere and can unveil the truth about a particular subject and bring these matters to the public's attention.
They will also be able to assist MACC in exposing corruption and advancing accountability and transparency. Investigative journalism remains an important tool in helping uncover information that people in power would like to keep secret and to identify and stop the spread of systemic corruption in Malaysia.
The writer holds the professorial chair at the Institute of Crime and Criminology, HELP University