Judges, media top TI graft list

The judiciary, the media and the business world are the most susceptible to corruption, according to new research carried out by the Greek office of the international graft watchdog Transparency International (TI).

The study, which evaluated 13 institutions, found that the electoral system was among the most transparent while the Ombudsman emerged as the most reliable institution.

The report also urged authorities to improve rules on disclosing the funding of political parties and to introduce laws that oblige private firms to be more transparent.

The head of TI’s Athens office, Costas Bakouris, said the problem did not lie in Greece’s laws but in their abuse. “In theory Greece appears to be doing fine,” he said. “In reality though, laws are violated and those breaking the law are legitimized,” Bakouris said, noting that Greece is suffering a “crisis of values” in parallel to its debt crisis.

Ekathimerini.com