ON CORRUPTION

Once upon a time people looked down upon somebody charged with corruption. Then it was a matter of shame. But no more. Being accused of some crime is now regarded as something of a feat that only a few can achieve. Before Mahatma Gandhi’s arrival people who had served a prison term were afraid and ashamed of being identified by the people. Gandhiji made getting arrested a mater of honour. These days almost everyone, especially the politicians, vie with each other to court arrest. The fact that Gandhiji was trying to make people bold enough to fight against corruption and injustice is now forgotten. Today what matters most seems to be not why a person was sent to jail but whether one has served a sentence or not. Today when a person comes out of prison, usually one does sooner or later, he is looked upon as a hero of sorts. Even as he serves the term he is accorded VIP treatment provided one has the right connection
Corruption has become an epidemic all over the world today. Both the print and visual media are full of reports of corruption. It seems that corruption is something that is found across the board. In spite of the spread of corruption and in spite of the media exposure there is no fall in the number of instances of corruption.
The most important reason for this is the fact that the authorities supposed to keep an eye on the perpetrators turn a Nelson’s eye when the media talks about such instances. In India we have had a prime minister who said, upon being told about the corrupt practices of some of the ministers, that corruption is no more news and that it is not an issue that worries people much.
However, the fact is that people have always been worried about corruption all over the world. Corruption has always been a basic issue all over the world both ancient and modern. And men of vision and determination have always fought the corrupt elements in society and in government tooth and nail. And they have had much success also in spite of many losses. Although no one has been able to root out the cancer of corruption, the honest officials of the sate have been able to come out with effective methods and to keep it under control. If corruption is not checked, if not wiped out completely, a society would fall apart like house of cards.
No society or country is especially prone to corruption. All countries are. Honest rulers with courage and determination take the bull of corruption by horns and make legislative measures to end it. Indeed the corrupt elements are resourceful and resilient enough to get around the laws sooner or later. Only an ever vigilant administration can keep the corrupt elements at bay.
The media has and it must play a major role in the fight against corruption. Media men must be on the alert all the time to identify the corrupt elements that are out to rip the country apart for their benefit. They must be meticulous in collecting detailed data and disseminating it. Merely getting the information across to the people is not enough, especially in a country like India. Men in the media can also suggest the means and ways to bring the corrupt elements to book as quickly and effectively as possible. Unless the men in media do not suggest the means and methods to control corruption, spreading the news of corruption can have adverse impact on the readers. Such reports would remain as the ‘gutter inspector’s report’ as Gandhiji called Mayo’s book, and make the people cynics.