
Media corruption refers to the unethical or illegal manipulation of media content, processes, or institutions for personal, political, or financial gain. This can include bribery, censorship, propaganda, and the spread of disinformation. In Hebrew, this concept is translated as שידור שוחד (shidur shochad) or שחיתות בתקשורת (shchitut bitkshoret). In Spanish, it is known as corrupción de los medios, while in French, it is referred to as corruption des médias. Media corruption undermines the integrity of journalism and the public's trust in media institutions. It can occur in various forms, such as the suppression of critical reporting, the promotion of biased or false information, and the manipulation of media ownership and regulation. The phenomenon is particularly concerning in democratic societies, where a free and independent media is essential for informed public debate and accountability. International organizations like the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) have highlighted media corruption as a significant threat to democratic governance and human rights.