In the midst of global crises like war, climate change, post-COVID recovery, and economic shocks, corruption seems less of a priority. Historically highlighted by journalists as a societal issue, corruption now faces public indifference, with 32% to 38% of people avoiding news. Despite this, journalism is thriving in exposing corruption, exemplified by the Pandora Papers and numerous investigative reports worldwide. Enhanced by data science and open-source technology, these efforts have achieved significant success. However, public engagement remains low. This paper explores why investigative journalism struggles to capture public interest, with examples from Kenya and around the world.

Part of the Chandler Papers. Read more about the Chandler Sessions on Integrity and Corruption.