BY BEN BILUA
CIVIL Society Group, Media, Parliamentarian and the government must be well-prepared to implement the Anti-Corruption Bill when it becomes law.
This was the message highlighted by UNDP’s Anti-Corruption Consultant Mr John Hyde during his meeting with the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) last week.
He stressed that stakeholders and the media must be trained to get better understanding on their respective roles as whistle blowers.
Hyde strongly emphasised that providing training for stakeholders including the media on their roles to report Anti-Corruption Bill is the best way forward to execute the implementation of the proposed Act.
“One of the big problem in anti-corruption is that, everyone must be part of the team and everybody must be informed of what is inside of the legislation.
“Mainstream media is still healthy in the Solomon Islands and that equipping the media with law to protect the industry as well as training is very important,” he said.
Hyde adds that it will be a bonus for the media and stakeholders to tackle corruption if the whistle Blowers Bill is legislated.
He advises MASI to look for resources to facilitate trainings for journalist in the country.
Hyde informs MASI that there will be a training on corruption in Tonga this year and it is important for MASI to send representatives to attend the training.
In the meantime he said local journalist can use the resources outlined in the United Nation Convention against Corruption where Solomon Islands is a party, to report corruption.
Hyde advised local journalists that the convention provides important resources that media can use to make sure government and other organisations are held accountable of corruption practices.
“The resources are very important for journalist to look and apply them locally in investigating and reporting corruption practices,” he said.
Hyde stressed that the prediction on the legislations to fight corruption and also laws to protect the media industry looks positive as the Prime Minister Rick Hou, shows support to table the bills to Parliament this year.
He reiterated that Civil Society Group, Media, Parliamentarian and the government must all work together to combat corruption practices in the society.
