00:00Trinidad and Tobago has scored 41 out of 100 on the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index,
00:08signaling ongoing challenges in public sector transparency and accountability.
00:13The global index compiled by Transparency International measures perceived levels of
00:19corruption in 182 countries and territories. This year, the world average has dropped to
00:27just 42, the first decline in more than a decade, with most nations struggling to keep corruption
00:34under control. The report released on Tuesday shows no change from TNT's 2024 score. That means
00:42the country is 81st in a rank of 108 countries, with zero being the least corrupt and 108 being the
00:51most. TNT tied with South Africa and Vietnam. With a score of 89 out of 100, Denmark was ranked the
01:00least corrupt country, and with scores of 9, South Sudan and Somalia tied for the rank of 181.
01:09In Trinidad and Tobago, experts say weak oversight, politicization of institutions,
01:15and limited checks and balances contribute to the perception of corruption. Public trust is
01:21affected when citizens feel decisions are influenced by connections rather than public
01:27interest. The CPI report highlights that strong democracies with independent oversight generally
01:34score higher. Tackling corruption, it says, requires more than laws. It demands robust institutions,
01:40accessible justice, and an active civil society. Transparency International's research suggests
01:48that countries with stronger oversight institutions and free and fair elections tend to show greater
01:54resilience against corruption risks. In particular, transparency and caps on who funds political
02:01parties and how much is spent on election campaigns are needed to ensure that democracy is protected from
02:08undue influence. Alongside this, transparency about who is lobbying politicians is crucial, it says,
02:15to protect against conflicts of interest holding back policymaking in the public interest.
02:21Corruption, transparency says, undermines justice from within. When politicians or businesses interfere
02:28with the selection of judges and prosecutors and the decisions these officials make, the law often
02:35protects the well-connected rather than the public. Justice systems, it says, that are independent and
02:42adequately resourced are often associated with lower corruption risks. Transparency International says case
02:49assignment may be manipulated, investigations may stall, and charges can be misplaced. Failure to address these
02:57concerns, it says, can have real consequences. Public services may suffer, inequality can widen,
03:04and citizens may feel compelled to protest for accountability as seen in other countries where
03:10corruption sparked political upheaval. Trinidad and Tobago joins the majority of countries scoring
03:16below 50 on the index, showing that while democracy exists, more work is needed to ensure government
03:23integrity and fair access to public resources. The 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index serves as a stock reminder.
03:31Strong independent institutions and accountability are vital to protect public trust and ensure a fair,
03:39inclusive society.
03:41Overshaid Tawari Rupnaraim, TV6 News.
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