Anti- Corruption in the world of social media

Bertot, Jaeger and Grimes (2010) state that there are 3 types of anti-corruption practices
1. Administrative Reform    
2. Law enforcement
3. Social Change

Anti-corruption has found its way onto social media. Prior to the internet we had to rely on other sources of media like Television, radio and newspaper, to be informed on what’s currant news. These types of media all at some point have had a form of censorship from radio with non-explicit editing to television have ratings from G - General Viewing to R – for viewing for those over 18, with restrictions on media what is stopping the restrictions on social media. Online censorship creates a wall between certain populations and their ability to gain access to and use digital tools for activism. Censorship limits access from either, the blocking of websites, filtration of search terms, removal of undesirable content from accessible sites and encouragement of self-censorship through intimidation and persecution of activists. A country known for their internet censorship is China, they have the world’s most pervasive filtering practises. In the past they have blocked both Facebook and Twitter on numerous occasions, as they cannot facilitate communications and coordination outside of Government control. In today’s society it is hard for Government to maintain such a high demanding task of censoring all websites, as once you place something up on the internet is up there forever.

Bertot, Jaeger and Grimes (2010) believe that there are 4 major strengths of Anticorruption
1. Collaboration
2. Participation
3. Empowerment
4. Time (real time updates.)

I believe the biggest, and most predominant anti-corruption example is wikileaks  “WikiLeaks is the quintessential example of how social media technologies can be used to fight corruption.” (Bertot et al. 2010, p 267). Julian Assange is a founder of wiki leaks and is one of the most controversial characters as he is known for unveiling secret documents supposed to be confidential to the Government. Wikileaks is a podium, which is fuelling the use of social media to spread the word and discuss important issues. Seth Liss suggests that Wikileaks has given us a window of the potential power and influence forms of social media.  

Another well-known example of Anti-corruption using social media is Kony 2012, this sky rocketed all over Facebook and twitter, with many links to YouTube videos, there was even a support group where you could purchase what seemed to be like merchandise supporting Kony 2012.

http://astillasderealidad.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/kony-2012-prepara-el-terreno-para-la-el.html

As social media is broadcasted to such a large audience, it allows for people to support organizations such as Kony 2102. Social media can be viewed as a resource to better fight corruption.

I ask you to think is wikileaks just the begging of Anti-corruption using resources of social media?