2020

Tsetsura, Katerina; Luoma-aho, Vilma

Transparency has become an essential concept globally through the international crises around information leaks. For public sector organizations that serve the citizens, transparency is understood as a vital part of democracy. There are several mechanisms that affect societies of nontransparency, one of which is corruption. This chapter takes up the task of explaining nontransparency, corruption, bribery, and propaganda from the point of view of public sector organizations. In addition, it explains the role of public sector communication for transparency. In all societal settings, relying heavily on preset procedures and bureaucratic models in their operations, public sector organizations are often good ground for organizational secrecy. Research on transparency and corruption should investigate underlying motives for interrogation and problematize the difference between the rhetoric and actions toward anticorruption in the public sector. A trust–distrust continuum provides an insight into challenges for improving transparency.