The media is a key pillar in any National Integrity System, yet it has totally failed in Palestine to play its critical role in combating corruption. Then, came the ACTION project to further support AMAN in its anti-corruption work and in promoting integrity, transparency and accountability (ITA) with emphasis on information and the media, as well as building capacity of journalists in investigative reporting burning the fog surrounding corruption, and destroying the secrecy of information. Prior to the ACTION project, AMAN knew and detected through daily follow-up of the media output, specifically newspapers, a major weakness related to investigative reporting on corruption issues in both the public and civil society sectors, as well as an absence of disseminating any related findings in the various media outlets. These conclusions about the media in Palestine were confirmed by many indicators and media studies, some studies conducted by a researcher during the ACTION project, revealing the extent of weakness in the abilities of Palestinian journalists in conducting critical analysis, collecting information, and holding parties accountable. Further confirming these findings, was the fact that AMAN found in the year 2010, that there was only one investigative report related to corruption by the media, while in 2011 there were a total of three. At the end of September 2013, investigative reports related to addressing corruption in the West Bank and Gaza Strip increased to 28 reports.
One of AMAN’s interventions during the ACTION project in combating corruption and promoting ITA with emphasis on information focused on building the capacity of journalists and media persons in investigative research, collecting information, and activating the role of the media in combating corruption. AMAN’s intervention in ACTION related to investigative reporting was strong due to bringing aboard and receiving buy-in by the Journalists Syndicate, Wafa News Agency, Watan News Agency and Al-Hayat Newspaper from the beginning. This participatory effort resulted in the design of a strong training program for over 80 journalists and media persons building skills in different aspects including investigative research, collection of information, documentation, analysis of data, drawing solid conclusions, style of writing, formatting, editing and publishing through the internet via different media outlets specifically nontraditional outlets and social media. Furthermore, the trainings and meetings emphasized the importance of investigative reporting in uncovering corruption cases, and the anti-corruption efforts needed.
The results of AMAN’s intervention through the ACTION project, specifically the media investigative reporting training component included an increase in the number of investigative reports by journalists and media persons of which 18 out of 28 reports produced by end of September 2013, were a direct result of AMAN’s intervention, guidance and follow-up. A total of 12 investigative reports were published and widely disseminated through funding by the ACTION project.
Among the other results was that several of the training graduates conducted and published investigative reports addressing a number of heavy duty issues while linking them to
corruption. There was diversity in the topics of the reports as indicated by the report titles as well as a high level of seriousness of the issues investigated. Among the titles of the investigative reports were: Methodologies in Follow-up in Shariah Judiciary, Absence of Transparency in Registering Opportunities for Pilgrims to Mecca, The Life of Citizens Hostage to Poor Monitoring and Violations in Vehicle Licensing, Torture in Gaza Prisons, Lack of Implementation of Court Decisions, Public Hospitals a Death Trap, Gaza a Cemetery for Premature Babies.
Among other results of this intervention, was an increased access on information on corruption cases based on investigative reports publication. ACTION enabled AMAN to publish a number of investigative reports in a newsletter titled The Beacon, in two volumes, which was disseminated widely to relevant parties, NGOs and citizens since traditional media hesitated to publish them. The Beacon contents became a point of discussion by the Security Apparatus and the Palestinian Anti Corruption Committee revealing how important the published material was to official parties. AMAN covered financially, and supervised from a legal and media perspective investigative reports that contributed actively in uncovering facts that can be used in holding those corrupt accountable.
A meeting was held by the Council of Ministers only a WEEK after publishing an investigative report by journalist Nahid Abu To’iamah related to waste of public funds in Sharia’ Courts to address this matter and offer recommendations. A MONTH from publishing the report, the Judiciary Committee took a decision to freeze the cashing of the marriage license fees forming a committee for the creation of a monitoring system on these type of fees, and monitoring any extra fees charged to citizens. Nahid Abu To’iamah in her investigative report aimed to uncover the rationale for the extra fees charged for marriage licenses, where the fees go, and why they are not delivered to the Ministry of Finance? The journalist met with the head of the Shariah Judiciary Committee, and other relevant parties and uncovered the violations. This in addition to the confession of one judge before the Committee, and the aforementioned journalist that an account has been found that no one knows about, with a balance of 600,000 Shekels (US 180,000) which is unmonitored. Ms. Abu To’iamah concluded that there is a lack of transparency, and plenty of ambiguity and chaos in the distribution of the fees collected by the Sharia’ Judiciary Court.
In a region where bread is cherished and consumed daily by rich and poor, young and old on a daily basis, an investigative report by Mr. Shareef uncovered the lack of attention by the Consumer Protection Agency in Nablus related the practice of grinding old, moldy and returned bread by a number of bakeries in the area. The result of the report was the motivation of the headquarters of the Agency in visiting bakeries, increasing monitoring and disclosing findings and follow-up on several websites related to the situation making access to information possible to citizens.
In conclusion, $18,000 dedicated to this intervention component of the ACTION project resulted in a high return on investment. One investigative report findings and results by itself prevented a waste of public funds in the amount of US % 180,000!
During the mid 2011, The People Want to End Corruption was the only Facebook addressing corruption in Palestine, but lack of professional publishing criteria, and irresponsible use of media freedom by publishers led to legal issues due to accusations of slander, libel and foul language. The Facebook was shut down due to being stolen by unknowns who presented porn on the page.
At present, there are 6 FaceBooks addressing corruption and anti-corruption in Palestine. AMAN does not claim to be the reason for the creation of these sites, but we believe that bringing the importance of the social media and its role in anti-corruption via twenty workshops and 15 trainings during ACTION had an undeniable impact in this area, including the interest of youth in establishing these sites. Discussion and promotion as well as dissemination of the Code of Ethics for electronic publishers during these workshops and trainings have contributed to an increase in awareness related to publication crimes and electronic publishing ethics.
1. Bloggers against Corruption:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/363764103684685/
2. Palestinian Youth Network against Corruption:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/135047956574312/
3. Palestinians against Corruption:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/146403495477623/
4. Hand in hand in Combating Sport Corruption:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/181321008646357/
5. University Goers against Corruption:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/129187933958263/
6. Chasing after the Corrupt Palestine:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004881397987&fref=ts
