The role of mass media in preventing corruption

AutorOlha S. Bondarenko - Maryna S. Utkina - Mariia V. Kolesnikova
CargoPhD, Senior Lecturer. Academic and Research Institute of Law, Sumy State University, Ukraine - PhD, Senior Lecturer. Academic and Research Institute of Law, Sumy State University, Ukraine - PhD, Associate Professor. Academic and Research Institute of Law, Sumy State University, Ukraine
Páginas70-93
70
The Role of Mass Media in Preventing Corruption (p. 70-93)
BONDARENKO, O. S;
UTKINA, M. S; KOLESNIKOV A, M. V.
The Role of Mass Media in Preventing
Corruption. T he Law, State and Tele communications Revie w
, v. 13, no. 1, p. 70-93, May 2021.
THE ROLE OF MASS MEDIA IN PREVENTING
CORRUPTION
Submitted
: 03 Decembe r 2020
Olha S. Bondarenko*
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2288-1393
Maryna S. Utkina**
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3801-3742
Mariia V. Kolesnikova***
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3647-692X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26512/lstr.v13i1.35433
Revised
: 27 January 2021
Accepted
: 01 Februar y 2021
Article submitted to peer blind rev iew
Licensed under a Creative Common s Attribution 4.0 International
Abstract
Purpose
The article focuses on the freedom of speech as a basic principle in the activit ies
of mass media against corruption. The attribu te of every democratic and law-g overned state
is freedom of speech, that is, the ability to express their thought s and beliefs freely. Ukraine
is not an exception, for the right of freed om of thought an d speech and free expression of
ones’ vie ws and beliefs a re guaranteed. T he existence of an effective media system is the
basis for implementing the principle of p ublicity in the activities of pub lic administrat ion
and en suring effective transparent o versight of its activities. Moreover, mass media play
an important r ole in the political life of the country.
Methodology/Ap proach/Design
The rese arch is based on the methods of systemic an d
critical analy sis.
Findings
The ability of dome stic journalists to be active participants in anti-corruption
reforms is c onfirmed by many journ alistic corruption inves tigations and high -profile
disclosures, w hich led to the opening of criminal proceedings.
Keywords:
Corruption . Mass Media. Freedom of Speech. Transparency . Political Life.
INTRODUCTION
The attrib ute of every democratic and law-governed state is freedom of
speech, that is, the ability to express thoughts and beliefs freely. Ukraine is not an
*
PhD, Se nior Lecturer. Academic and Research Institute of Law, Sumy State U niversity,
Ukraine. Address: Petropavlivs ka, 59, Sumy, Uk raine, 40016. Cont act:
o.bondarenko@yur.sumdu.edu.ua.
**
PhD, Seni or Lecturer. Acade mic and Research Institute of Law, Sumy State Univer sity,
Ukraine. Address: Petropavlivs ka, 59, Sumy, Uk raine, 40016. Cont act:
m.utkina@yur.sumdu.edu.ua.
***
PhD, Asso ciate Professor. Academic and Rese arch Institute of Law, Sumy State
University, Ukr aine. Addres s: Petropavliv ska, 59, Sumy , Ukraine, 4001 6. Contact:
m.kolesnikova@yur.sumdu.edu.ua.
The Role of Mass Media in Preventing Corruption (p. 70-93) 71
BONDARENKO, O. S;
UTKINA, M. S; KOLESNIKOV A, M. V.
The Role of Mass Media in Preventing
Corruption. T he Law, State and Telec ommunications Revie w
, v. 13, no. 1, p. 70-93, May 2021.
exception, since everyone is guaranteed the right of f reedom of thought and
speech, free expression of his views and beliefs, under Article 34 of the
Constitution of Ukraine. Since everyone has the right to collect, store, use and
disseminate information freely: orally, in writing, or in any other way of their
choice.
Freedom of speech is a basic principle in the activities of mass media
(newspapers, magazines, television and radio programs, film documentaries,
other periodical forms of public dissemination of mass media). The existence of
an effective media system in the state is the basis for implementing the principle
of publicity in the activities of public administration and ensuring effective
transparent oversigh t of its activities. Moreover, mass med ia play an important
role in the political life of the country (Walgrave et al, 2007). The ability of
domestic journalists to be active participants in an ti-corruption reforms is
confirmed by several journalistic corruption investigations and high-profile
disclosures, which in the future led to the opening of criminal p roceedings. Of
course, it is difficult to speak of transparency, complete impartiality, and
credibility of the media in Ukraine. The confirmation of this thesis is the result of
an international rating of freedom of the press, according to which in 2020
Ukraine ranked 96th out of 180 possible (Reporter ohne Grenzen, 2020). At the
same time, it is impossible not to notice the massive potential of the media in
preventing corruption. Thus, the study of the role of the media in the field of
prevention of corruption in Ukraine is urgent and necessary.
DISCUSSION AND RESULTS
First, the article focuses on the legislative essence of the concept of
"media". Thus, accord ing to the Law of Ukraine "On Information", the mass
media means intended for the public d istribution of printed or audiovisual
information. Regarding the types of mass media, according to the above-stated
legislative norm, there are print media (press) and audio -visual (electronic). It is
necessary to under stand the periodical and continuing publications, wh ich come
under the permanent name, with the frequency of one or more issues (issues)
during the year based on the certificate of state registration, and under the other
an organization that provides for mass reception of audiov isual information by
consumers, transmitted in the form of electrical signals and accepted with the help
of household electronic devices.
The development of the information society in Ukraine has resulted in th e
rapid development of the Internet media. Today, in the era of society's dependence
on electronic devices, and because of electronic information resources, they have
surpassed the old media as a whole and as a source of corrupt information. As
Christian Fuchs notes, the factors that predetermined the prevalence of such media

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