Have you ever been overcharged by authorities when applying for public services? Have you ever been asked to pay unofficial extra money to get things done faster than other people? Have you ever been extorted for money by some traffic cops? Do you know whether it is corruption? Have you ever thought of taking part in corruption elimination?
If you have, join the Clean Road, a one-hour weekly radio program broadcasting every Tuesday from 11: 00 AM to 12:00 PM on Sarika FM 106.5 MHz in Phnom Penh, FM 91.25 MHz in Siem Reap and Battambang, and FM 101 MHz in Banteay Mean Chey.
In cooperation with Transparency International (TI) Cambodia, the Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM) is scheduled to re-launch the Clean Road radio program on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. The main objective of the program is to give potential listeners, particularly those who experience corruption, opportunities to join discussions related to corruption and address the consequence of corruption-resulted on society. In addition to engaging experts and researchers of corruption issues, CCIM, as part of its advocacy, is committed to encourage youth and women to actively participate in the radio program. During the project implementation, each talk show will have three guest speakers, one of which is expected to be a youth.
Corruption robs people, particularly young talented people of equal opportunity and justice. Although the Cambodian Government claims it fights against corruption, not much has so far been done. According to corruption index 2016, released by TI earlier this year, Cambodia is one of the most corrupt nation states in ASEAN. Since corruption in Cambodia is systematically committed, the statistic is critically worrisome. In the short term, corruption generates an environment of unfair competition and takes resources from the poor or disadvantaged for personal gains. In the long term, corruption gradually plunges a nation state or organization into a critical social crisis by destroying legal principles, weakening roles of institutions and totally eliminating social justice.
Generally, corruption is a very sensitive issue and the solution has never been easy. However, one of the most practical solutions is to stand up and speak out with no fear. Evil does not like the sunlight. The same is true for corruption, which is quietly and systematically committed but is detrimental to society. Fighting against corruption, therefore, requires a strong advocacy strategy to raise public awareness and allow people from all walks of life to participate in the anti-corruption campaign by sharing their experiences and lessons and finding tactics to respond. That is why bringing corruption into the spotlight through the radio program Clean Road is the best strategy of choice for CCIM and TI Cambodia. (Sek Sophal)
