>I tried to say that the media may have some impact here in this way: by exposing more details of more corruption, more people get the idea that if he (powerful person x) can do it, then so can I. But I really have no idea.

Actually, you'd think that if the risks in being exposed go up, less people take them.

Not that I believe this is true, and its impossible to test, but I'd say its reasonably probable. But then, when it comes to corruption, where does reasonable fit in?