Africa

Benin

{This graph represents scores that have been modified by CIMA so that higher scores indicate a better media situation. It is intended to show trends over time; each index measures significantly different factors of press freedom. To see an explanation for how this graph was created, click here.}

IREX Score: 2.36	[IREX Methodology]
{Higher is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 4.00}

IREX Description:

Benin's media sector has experienced consistent strength and growth in some areas, but several stubborn problems persist—including a disconnect between laws on paper and the actual climate for journalists, widespread self-censorship, low professional standards, poor business management practices, and a glaring disparity between urban and rural media offerings.

However, Benin still has some strong, active media outlets providing objective news. The strength of their voices is helping to establish a prosperous democracy that many observers say provides a regional role model. Beninese journalists also enjoy broad, unfettered access to domestic and international news sources.

Read more on IREX’s site…

Freedom House Score: 33 (Partly Free)	[Freedom House Methodology]
{Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 100}

RSF Score: 19.00	[RSF Methodology]
{Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to ~120}

Reporters Without Borders Description:

The country has traditionally been seen as good performer in West Africa, a pioneer of multi-parties and a model of modern democracy in the region. But Benin has also seen things go awry. Before and during the 2006 presidential election campaign that led to technocrat Boni Yayi succeeding Mathieu Kérékou as head of state, irregular publications flourished in Cotonou, run by ad hoc journalists and serving the interests of politicians or other influential figures. They continued to appear after the election was over and took orders from other generous patrons. This pushed the government into a “clean up”, using the law, which had not really been applied since 2004 and which provides for prison sentences for breaches of press law. As a result, several editors were arrested by judicial police in September and questioned by the chief prosecutor for publishing articles containing false information. More seriously still, the publisher and editor of the daily L’Informateur were sentenced at the end of 2006 to six months in prison and fined 500,000 CFA francs (752 euros) for “defamation”.

Reporters Without Borders has informed the Benin government of its concern, as it would for any country with draconian legislation, pointing out that these prison sentences were not a fair or appropriate response to journalistic error. On the contrary, they harm democracy, by breaking the de facto rule banning all imprisonment of journalists and undermining media regulatory bodies.

Africa

Benin

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