Digital Technologies and Anti-Corruption: Reflections on Public Discourses, Actors’ Interactions, and the Measurement of Corruption

Abstract

This introduction examines the evolving landscape of digital technologies in the fight against corruption, exploring their potential as powerful levers for anti-corruption efforts and their far-reaching implications for the anti-corruption sector. The introduction argues that three key areas merit further exploration in the context of digital technologies and anti-corruption. First, the role of digital technologies, particularly social media and instant messaging platforms, in shaping public discourse on corruption. These technologies enable the rapid dissemination of information and facilitate collective action while also helping to shape narratives about corruption beyond their practical applications. Second, how the use of digital technologies in the fight against corruption changes the relational dynamics between grassroots actors and institutional bodies. These interactions range from collaborative partnerships to conflictual relationships, often with an element of contention. Third, the potential of digital technologies to profoundly change the measurement, identification, and exposure of corruption, particularly in those grassroots initiatives that may offer novel approaches to data collection on corrupt behavior. The introduction explains that by focusing on these three aspects, the special issue contributes to the growing literature on digital media and anti-corruption and offers new perspectives on the complex interplay between technological innovation and anti-corruption efforts. The introduction concludes with a presentation of the five articles included in the special issue, explaining how they delve deeper into the three areas of investigation outlined above, providing empirical findings and theoretical reflections on the transformative potential of digital technologies in the fight against corruption.