Options for this question are:
A. accountability
B. gossip
C. column inches
D. corruption
The correct answer is A, accountability. Accountability means the possibility of holding someone responsible; to hold someone accountable.
When it comes to government institutions we are talking about a compromise between state and people. We accept and support a government in exchange for a healthy and well-done ruling. Transparency is necessary for us to check if the compromise is being kept.
If the compromise is not being kept, as when a public agent is guilty of corruption, we can only hold him/her accountable for his/her actions if we have enough data about his/her deeds.