8/10/2019 Communication Studies Speech Notes

1/2

Topic: To what extent are politicians penalized for partaking in unscrupulous behavior in Jamaican Politics?

Defined generally by TheOxford dictionary of Law, 2010 asthe abuse of public office for private gain, corruption, which

is often driven by individual greed and dishonesty, is now a major global concern, if only because there is abundant evidence that it

has the capacity to undermine democracy, and the rule of law, as well as to drive fragile and developing countries, like Jamaica,

towards State capture or State failure. In other words this research is examining the measures that are in place which help to prevent

corruption in our political system and how effect ive they are.

While corruption is by no means a phenomenon confined to Jamaica, it is considered by many to be the largest single

impediment to our country's attainment of sustained economic growth and development.

I have chosen this topic as the media has been reporting daily on legal issues faced by Jamaicans as a result of political corruption

within our legislation. Members of social institutions have suggested resolutions and the main recommendation is toinsist upon the

implementation and effective enforcement of stringent corporate governance, anti-corruption and corporate social responsibility

compliance policies on the p art of our politicians.

To accurately pursue this topic three main sources have been chosen for evaluation. One primary, which was a face-to-face

interview conducted with Mr. Andrew Galimore and two secondary sources; which were two newspaper articles published in the The

Daily Gleaner and the The Observer. Respectively.

Mr. Andrew Galimore in the interview stated that during his tenure as a politician he has faced numerous challenges in office. The

problems that exist in Jamaica are mainly due to the corruption that surrounds the political system. We need more transparency in the

Jamaican political system to help eradicate some of the corruption that is involved. For example when you have people who contribute

million of dollars to a political party they will, not probably, they will get a return on the millions that they contributed to that party

and their contribution multiplied by millions more. They are given business opportunity no matter who loses at the end of the day the

Jamaica people or the country itself. That how the system is set up.

Mr. Galimore has been in politics for over 25 years upon his leaving in 2012, which makes him a credible and reliable source as the

information is authentic and relevant to the research and is in keeping with the views of the sources in the newspaper articles. His

argument is valid because he makes reference to challenges/flaws in our political system, which negatively affects the efficiency of

our Justice System.

In the article entitled - Fighting corruption in politics written by Diane Abbot, a British Labour party MP and

spokeswoman on public health. In this article Ms. Abbot interviewed Rhodes Scholar Professor Trevor Munroe in relations to

corruption in our political system. Professor Munroe wants to take the first steps towards cleaning up politics in Jamaica by making it

illegal to accept overseas money and insisting on more transparency. He pointed out in last week's meeting that corruption,

bureaucracy and crime are the main things that stop people coming to invest in Jamaica

It would seem that Jamaica's economic future depends on dealing with the corruption problem. The British and American experience

shows that legislation alone does not ensure integrity. When politicians are desperate for money they always find a way around the

rules. But this legislation would be a start.

The article published in The Observer is current as it was published on Sunday, September 29, 2013and the information

appears to be valid. The article is also a reliable and credible source as the interviewee is an acclaimed Rhodes scholar, which has

spent most of his adult life at the heart of Jamaican political life.

8/10/2019 Communication Studies Speech Notes

2/2

In the article entitled - 'Vote Them Out! Anti-Corruption Campaigner Calls For Crooked Politicians To Be Booted From Office dated

Tuesday December 20,2013 written by Gary Spaulding, a senior writer for the Gleaner.

"Vote corrupt politicians out!" was the rallying call of a leading international anti-corruption campaigner as Jamaica yesterday joined

the world in commemorating International Anti-Corruption Day. At the same time, the Portia Simpson Miller administration was

subjected to severe criticism over its tardiness in enacting the long-awaited anti-corruption law.

Executive Director of the NIA, Professor Trevor Munroe, was not appeased, however. He stressed that smooth-sounding

pronouncements must be accompanied by action if the country is to break the back of corruption far and wide. "Practical actions must

complement nice-sounding praise," he stressed. Munroe urged the Government to exercise the same sense of urgency that it applied to

the enactment of the Lottery Scam Bill. He charged that the Government was focused on growth without paying the requisite attention

to institutions that could effectively combat corruption. Both objectives, he argued, could be achieved with the correct approach.

This article was posted in the Gleaner, which is current and valid to the research paper as it was published in 2013, which

makes the information up to date. This can be said as the article reports the views of Rhodes Scholar Professor Trevor Munroe, which

makes this a credible, and reliable source of information based on his credentials.

Throughout the course of research I underwent a few challenges such as arranging convenient dates for the interviewee and the

interviewer to meet, retrieve the information and in finding sources which were directly related to the topic in order to deliver an

effective speech. In conclusion,political corruption has to stop in order to reduce the crime and violence in Jamaica and to stop the

manipulation and the abuse of the few big men (very rich men) and the illegal gunmen. Most Jamaicans knows what is happening and

why so many are suffering. Many Jamaicans also know what can be done to resolve the problems that exist and they do nothing. If

these corruptions are stopped Jamaica will be a better place but who have the power to stop it wont. And so the wheel keeps on

turning while they turn their heads and look the other way.