An X-Factor style contest which “names and fames” public officials who go above and beyond when it comes to serving their constituents, is offering a new way of combating corruption and boosting accountability in developing countries.
Now in its third year and operating annually in Nepal, Liberia, Pakistan and Mali, Integrity Idol is modelled on popular television shows such as Pop Idol. It sees the public nominate, watch and vote for civil servants who have shown impressive integrity in their work, culminating in a televized award ceremony for the finalists.
Through its emphasis on celebrating good officials — as opposed to “naming and shaming” bad ones — Integrity Idol’s founder, Blair Glencorse, says the contest offers a more effective alternative to traditional development approaches to social accountability.
About the author
Sophie Edwards
Sophie Edwards is a Devex Contributing Reporter covering global education, water and sanitation, and innovative financing, along with other topics. She has previously worked for NGOs, and the World Bank, and spent a number of years as a journalist for a regional newspaper in the U.K. She has a master's degree from the Institute of Development Studies and a bachelor's from Cambridge University.