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Biographical Norwegian journalist/editor/blogger specializing in media and journalism topics. Topics
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 Corruption is poisonposted by Olav Anders Øvrebø at 11h09 GMT on Oct 11
This past week only, the English version of Google News has registered over 34.000 news stories about corruption. Democracies are by no means vaccinated against corruption. According to Transparency International, the Nordic countries rank among the least corrupt in the world. Still, corruption is seen as a growing problem and there have of course been high profile scandals in these countries as well. Why do I think corruption is poison for society? Because it destroys trust -- in democratic institutions, in business relationships, in civil society. And trust is needed in all these areas for a democracy to be healthy. Corruption often happens where business meets government, for example when contracts are awarded or licenses granted. A civil servant can be bribed to look the other way, or a politician paid off to ensure the signing of a big contract. Look at it from an honest businesswoman's perspective: if she has fought with legal weapons and then loses out because a competitor paid someone off, she'll lose faith in the system. She might quit the entrepreneur project she tried to get off the ground. No wonder more corrupt societies are less innovative and poorer. But this is about more than the economy. As a voter and citizen, if you believe elected politicians and bureaucrats can be bought, why should you bother to participate, to vote or even run for office yourself? It might be argued that rampant corruption has been a major factor in destroying democracy in Russia before it could take hold. The few independent voices making themselves heard out of Russia these days, like Natalia Novozhilova, often point to a kind of apathy among the people as a result of years of economic and political corruption (Novozhilova is the winner of the 2007 prize from the Norwegian Freedom of Expression Foundation and the German Zeit Foundation). I'll just put it this way: It takes a very strong democracy to withstand the poison of corruption. What about weak democracies or 
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Corruption
I wonder why nobody cares.
I have ringing so many doors, and I still wonder. Why does nobody - from the parliament for example- wants to take action against Peter van Santen.
I have been payed as his gardener half black - what has cost me. As a trustee I know so many more things about him -and I leave traces about the net- but nobody seems to want to pick it up.
Corruption seems to be nobodies care.
Corruption seems to be the business of those in power, and those in power ...
What I think, is a diminuation of total power.
What I want, is people to stand up, stand up even thou they have their fears.
I saw this evening a picture of Pvs, and sweat broke out -a common phenomenom with his former employees. But nevertheless, I keep on standing up the tiran.
I write this not only for myself, but also for the guy that asked me through the fence to go buy for him a postcard of the mbh as he was to afraid to go inside. And for all the rest of the personel of the mbh that is to scared for him.
Peter van Santen is surely evading the french tax, is 'giving presents to those in power locally',and terrorises his staff, without giving respect to the those who host him.
And he thinks I should be ashamed.
I think that is sign of schizophrenia. And he should not be where he is now.
He is due at least € 1.000.000,- to the french state. But nobody cares.
I wonder what is acidious.
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