More than a week ago, around 200 investigators from various UN agencies and other multilateral organizations met in Manila for their annual conference. These are the people tasked to make sure that the zero-tolerance-for-corruption culture in their institutions thrives. They are forensic auditors, lawyers, ethics specialists, certified fraud examiners and former police investigators who want to protect funds for infrastructure and development projects and see to it that nothing is skimmed off.
Journalists often cite reports of investigators from the Asian Development Bank (ADB ) and the World Bank that warn of debarred companies, those found to have committed fraud and corruption in road-building and other infrastructure projects. These findings are the results of thorough probes and carry the weight of authority.
Not only that. Investigators also look into cases of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment in the workplace.
The ADB hosted the group’s 24th annual conference where participants shared leading practices in their field and discussed issues including the use of AI, navigating remote investigations, investigative interviewing, and intelligence sharing.
How did I get a peek into this seemingly rarefied world? They wanted to hear from an investigative journalist and so they asked me to keynote their conference. They were keen to learn how journalism contributes to positive change as well as our experiences on the ground, gathered through decades of reporting.
So, for today’s piece, I will share the main points from my keynote address entitled “Integrity is our superpower.”
- The work of journalists is similar to that of investigators, sleuthing to help uncover corruption, unearthing secrets darker than the deep sea. When asked why he chose this kind of work, a detective, the main character in a Norwegian crime novel, said: “I enjoy it. I like to think I contribute to bringing about justice…What’s more, I think it is exciting.” Journalists and investigators have similar reasons for choosing this path. We want to hold the lawbreakers accountable. We want to contribute to something greater. Thus, integrity is our superpower.
- The difference is that journalists operate in the public eye, under the glare of the sun. Investigators are wrapped in the mantle of confidentiality of their institutions. We also have different audiences. Journalists write for the general public. Investigators write for their organizations. Their lips are sealed; they have confidentiality clauses in their line of work. Journalists’ lips are sealed, too, when it comes to protecting sources.
- With all the negativity journalists are exposed to, we never lose hope. That’s why we keep shining the light on the darkest corners. That’s why we want to hold public officials to account. In all my years as a journalist, I have seen two tenets at work. One: Change is more incremental than dramatic. Two: It usually takes a village to achieve positive change.
- It is rare that, as a result of a story or series of stories, the government takes sweeping action to reform a process or fire the corrupt people. It is rare that the concerned officials voluntarily step down because they broke the law — though we sometimes see dramatic changes as a result of dogged reporting. In Southeast Asia, investigative journalists played a critical role in uncovering the funneling of billions of dollars from Malaysia’s state investment fund, 1MDB, to private pockets — and which eventually led to the conviction and jailing of former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak.
- There are forms of soft corruption like plagiarism, making false claims, and accepting favors from vested interests. These corrode confidence in our leaders, public officials, and institutions. Take the recent case in Singapore, where in October 2024, the former Singaporean Transport Minister S. Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months in prison for accepting gifts valued at US$300,000, including tickets to English Premier League matches, Formula 1 races, and a private jet ride. In the Philippines, it is a challenge to follow the money when reporting on public officials who accept favors from vested interests because of the absence of financial disclosures.
- Abuse of power is an important subject for journalists because it goes to the heart of accountability and transparency in society. By promoting transparency and exposing abuses of power, we are contributing to the shaping of a more just and equitable society. Jacob Riis, a reporter and photographer, said: “When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow, it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before.” Like the stonecutter, we are making a change one chip at a time.
- Other actors have a role in bringing about positive change like civil society groups, whistleblowers, and policy-makers. These actors should use reporting by journalists to lobby for reforms — or, in the case of whistleblowers, provide first-hand accounts and evidence. Rappler has done investigative reporting, some of which have led to government action. (Click here for examples of Rappler Investigative reports.)
- Challenges remain. A culture of impunity is still deeply rooted. Moreover, unless the courts deliver credible and speedy justice, unless our institutions achieve zero-tolerance for corruption, no matter who the leader of the country is, the situation will remain the same.
- A basic requirement for our work to thrive and for positive change to happen is for democracy to be alive and well. Most recently, the results of the US election point to freedoms under threat in the beacon of democracy — and the most powerful country in the world. This is a red flag — and the consequences are dire. A decline of democracy in the US may embolden other leaders to take that path. When democracy declines, civil liberties are curtailed and leaders are not held accountable. Nations become deeply polarized that intolerance prevails — and the rule of law is broken.
For those interested, you can read the full text of my address here.
Let me know what you think. You can email me at [email protected].
