The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) recently announced Bashar al-Assad as its 2024 “Person of the Year,” an award highlighting the individual who has done the most to advance crime and corruption globally thus damaging democracy and human rights. We’d like to clarify our selection process and address some misconceptions.
As it has been done for 13 years, this award was decided by an expert panel of judges from civil society, academia, and journalism, all with extensive experience in investigating corruption and crime. We made a general call for nominations and received over 55,000 submissions, including some of the most well-known political figures along with lesser-known individuals.
OCCRP had no control over who was nominated, as suggestions came from people worldwide. This included the nomination of former Indonesian president Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi. OCCRP included in its "finalists" nominees who garnered the most online support and had some basis for inclusion.
OCCRP has no evidence that Jokowi engaged in corruption for personal financial gain during his presidency, However, civil society groups and experts say that Jokowi’s government significantly weakened Indonesia’s anti-corruption commission. Jokowi was also widely criticised for undermining Indonesia’s electoral and judicial institutions to benefit the political ambitions of his son, who is now vice-president under new president Prabowo Subianto.
“The judges appreciate the citizens' nominations, but in some cases, there wasn’t enough direct evidence of significant corruption or a longstanding pattern of abuses,” said OCCRP Publisher Drew Sullivan. “However, there is clearly a strong perception among the citizenry of corruption and this should serve as a warning to those nominated that the people are watching, and they care. We, too, will keep watching.”
The final decision for the “Person of the Year” award was made by the judges. This year, the award was given to Bashar al-Assad, who was not among the most nominated people. Assad’s role in destabilizing Syria and the region through overt criminal networks, significant human rights abuses including mass murder, and corruption made him the top choice.
OCCRP’s final selection process is grounded in investigative research and the collective expertise of our network. This award highlights the systems and actors enabling corruption and organized crime, but it also serves as a reminder of the ongoing need to expose injustices.
It is important to note that this award is sometimes misused by individuals seeking to further their political agendas or ideas. However, the purpose of this award is singular: to bring recognition to crime and corruption—full stop.
We will continue to refine the nomination and selection process, ensuring transparency and inclusivity. Additionally, our reporting will remain focused on the impact of the nominees and others who perpetuate crime and corruption, highlighting their role in undermining democracy and society worldwide.
This year’s award has sparked unprecedented global engagement, reflecting a growing public interest in corruption and its far-reaching consequences. It highlights the importance of OCCRP’s mission to uncover and expose crime and corruption.
As threats to democracy, transparency, and press freedom continue to rise, OCCRP remains committed to delivering stories that resonate with audiences and provide critical insight into the forces shaping their countries.
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