Evaluation of Newspaper Coverage of Political Corruption news In South Sudan

Abstract

The media is regarded as the fourth pillar in democracy and that free and independent press has an important role in fighting corruption. Many studies have shown a strong correlation between freedom of the press and political corruption and emphasize the importance of media plurality and media freedom. The general objective of the study was to determine the effect of political corruption by newspapers in South Sudan. The specific objectives of the study were to establish the effect of frequency on coverage of political corruption by newspapers in South Sudan; to examine the prominence of coverage of political corruption by newspapers in South Sudan; to analyze the depth of treatment of coverage of political corruption by newspapers in South Sudan; to determine the type of news on political corruption by newspapers in South Sudan and finally, to establish the moderating relationship between media policies and regulation on the political corruption in South Sudan. The study was anchored on the Theories of Crisis of Governance, Spiral of Silence and Agenda Setting. The study employed descriptive survey research design. The target population of the study was 315 respondents drawn from the following sources: Sudan Tribune, Juba Monitor, and The Dawn, Peace Day, and Sudanese Online newspapers, international and local NGOs, Academic staff and students from mass communication and political science departments at Juba University. Primary data was collected through face to face interviews conducted on chief editors of the five newspapers, directors of local NGOs, academic staff and students from Juba University. The respondents were randomly selected. Secondary data was gathered using a content analysis tool from the five selected newspapers. A total of 180 sample newspapers were used for content analysis. Data was analyzed using Statistical Software for Social Sciences (SPSS) and presented in form of graphs, figures and tables. The study found out that most media houses did not cover political corruption news, with most of the newspapers shying away from publishing such information. The content for the newspapers which covered political corruption news was approximately a quarter a page and that they would present such in cartoons and editorials rather than straight news. Corruption news ranged from bribery, embezzlement of funds, misuse of office, nepotism, illegal appointments to even transfer of civil property to selfish individuals. Policies regulating media existed, but were not effectively implemented. The study therefore recommended implementation of media regulatory policies; enactment of laws that protected media houses and journalists; pursuance and prosecution of individuals who infringed on the rights of journalists; collaborative efforts between the government and private sector in ensuring that the freedom of the press was adhered to; independence of media houses; and refresher courses to journalists on emerging trends in journalism. The study recommended further investigation into the measures of improving coverage of political corruption news by newspapers; situational analysis in the realization of freedom of the press in South Sudan; situational analysis of the milestones in the fight against political corruption in South Sudan; and the effectiveness of the media regulatory board in the protection of media houses.