Press Freedom Helps Fight Poverty

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Studies show that more press freedom means less corruption. Press 
freedom also has a positive influence on incomes, infant mortality, and 
adult literacy according to James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World 
Bank Group.

What is the connection, then, between press freedom and economic 
poverty? A large part of the answer lies with corruption, and the fight 
against it. Studies by the World Bank, for instance, show that the 
higher the level of press freedom in countries, the greater the control 
over corruption and thus the greater focus of scarce resources on 
priority development issues.

A free press not only serves as an outlet for expression, but it also 
provides a source of accountability, a vehicle for civic participation, 
and a check on official corruption. A free press also helps build more 
effective and stronger institutions.

Full Text:
http://www.wan-press.org/article.php3?id_article=3820