Sex scandals distract from real graft problems

Sex scandals distract from real graft problems
Dec 9, 2012 07:39
MARRIE Points: Join Date: Jan 7, 2008 Status: offline	A SEX video, infidelity and accusations of rape recently exposed on the Internet have cost two high-level local officials their jobs, at least for now, and generated a storm of public outrage. The two officials are Lei Zhengfu, a top district official in the city of Chongqing who was confirmed to be pictured in a widely circulated sex tape leaked by self-proclaimed investigatory journalist Zhu Ruifeng; and Sun Dejiang, a local legislator from Heilongjiang Province who has been accused of rape by a female journalist. In a way, these cases have helped boost public confidence in the country's efforts to fight corruption, since the scandals have been widely discussed and local governments have responded quickly. But it will take more than crusading journalists in China to reveal and punish the many corrupt officials. Sensational extramarital affairs are just a small part of officials' wrongdoing. The fundamental question is how they have abused their power to amass wealth or obtain favors. To prevent power abuse, a better mechanism must be created to limit the power of officials and make it easier for people to expose corruption, thus giving officials something to fear. One of the most potentially effective measures calls for making officials' assets public knowledge. There are signs this may occur in the foreseeable future. The southern province of Guangdong plans to launch a pilot campaign asking local government officials to report their relatives' assets and disclose them to a certain number of people.

Dec 9, 2012 07:39

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A SEX video, infidelity and accusations of rape recently exposed on the Internet have cost two high-level local officials their jobs, at least for now, and generated a storm of public outrage.

The two officials are Lei Zhengfu, a top district official in the city of Chongqing who was confirmed to be pictured in a widely circulated sex tape leaked by self-proclaimed investigatory journalist Zhu Ruifeng; and Sun Dejiang, a local legislator from Heilongjiang Province who has been accused of rape by a female journalist.

In a way, these cases have helped boost public confidence in the country's efforts to fight corruption, since the scandals have been widely discussed and local governments have responded quickly.

But it will take more than crusading journalists in China to reveal and punish the many corrupt officials.

Sensational extramarital affairs are just a small part of officials' wrongdoing. The fundamental question is how they have abused their power to amass wealth or obtain favors.

To prevent power abuse, a better mechanism must be created to limit the power of officials and make it easier for people to expose corruption, thus giving officials something to fear.

One of the most potentially effective measures calls for making officials' assets public knowledge. There are signs this may occur in the foreseeable future.

The southern province of Guangdong plans to launch a pilot campaign asking local government officials to report their relatives' assets and disclose them to a certain number of people.

Dec 9, 2012 07:42

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Source: www.shanghaidaily.com
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If the campaign goes smoothly and is implemented nationwide, it will be a milestone in the Party's fight against corruption.

At the same time, it is equally important to build a better channel for ordinary people to make their voices heard without risking negative or even violent repercussions.

Thanks to the Internet, this is becoming easier, although the sheer amount of information available online has made it difficult for the government to chase down leads. The traditional practice of petitioning, in which people go to higher authorities to seek justice for wrongs committed by lower-level officials, needs to be reinforced.

Local governments should be prohibited from intercepting petitioners, as the interception is criminal.

A specific law regarding corruption should also be worked on.

With laws in place, more independence should be given to prosecutors and judiciary bodies to avoid administrative interference.

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