There is no refuge in slander

Everyone, irrespective of status, is entitled to defend his or her name. If the integrity of a person holding public office is challenged and nothing is done, the question is: Why does he not defend himself against allegations of impropriety?

If the apparent motivation for the allegations is to provoke a conversation, then one cannot expect a frank dialogue by starting off with: “You and your cohort are probably crooks. Now, please sit down and answer my questions.”

Something must be wrong with anyone who would give in to such demands. Before the conversation can occur, an apology is in order. And if it is given insincerely, with a hint of displeasure, how open can the discussion be?

Anyone who has sat through legal proceedings or some form of arbitration would know that unless there is an attitudinal shift and unreasonableness is removed from anyone showing anger in their requests, it is almost impossible to make headway.

Citizens should be concerned if allegations of misconduct are levelled at officials and there is silence; it could be interpreted as consent to the allegations.

Despite the tedium it entails, it is better to have a system where the officials involved must make it a legal matter.

In countries that tout freedom of speech as above all else, one can allege corruption, but receive a pat on the back and not be taken to task, for who knows what may surface if one must fight a legal case when corruption actually happens.

Staying mum about such allegations is the best front for continuing with wrongdoing. In an inconvenient system of having to confront such charges, no official can rest easy. This is in everyone’s interests.

In the end, part of constructive politics is that those in public office, those seeking such office and ordinary citizens speak up and question things, bearing in mind that when an allegation of possible criminality is made, it must be prosecuted until the truth emerges.

This may not stop corruption, but it forces those accused to clear their name. The message must also be clear: There is no refuge in slander.