Reporting corporate crime

Abstract

Examines corporate fraud and its relationship with the media. Discusses rise in volume of fraud, due to technological advances, more teamwork and the involvement of organised crime. Looks at the decline in financial reporting this century, with the fourth estate or watchdog traditions of the press not overly concerned with financial news, due to the growth in market‐driven journalism. This means that financial crime in the press is seen as a downer in the market and therefore not encouraged. UK investigative journalists also face tough defamation laws and cannot be expected to act as early warning systems when the crime is undetected by the company involved. Looks at examples of major financial crimes that have been uncovered by journalistic investigation, but concludes that too much is demanded of news media and its resources and expertise is best used in developing news coverage once the financial scandal has been uncovered.

Citation

Lloyd, C. and Walton, P. (1999), "Reporting corporate crime", Corporate Communications: An International Journal, Vol. 4 No. 1, pp. 43-48. https://doi.org/10.1108/13563289910254598