Benin’s regulator suspends 6 media outlets
“Authorities should focus on preserving and expanding freedom of information in Benin and not impose undue restrictions that can have a troubling effect on the entire profession” – CPJ.
Editorial independence of newsrooms in Benin undermined
Reporting of news on the country’s public broadcaster is being tightly managed and controlled by personnel from the president’s office and three ministries.
Media outlets in Benin and Burkina Faso suspended
In separate incidents Benin’s media regulator has indefinitely suspended the operations of ‘La Gazette du Golfe’, while ‘Radio Oméga’ in Burkina Faso is off the air.
Benin: Former journalist jailed over Facebook post released
Aziz Imorou was detained after he published a Facebook article in which he reported an alleged act of aggression against himself by a bodyguard of a government official.
Benin’s closure of online media outlets seen as muzzling of media
Benin’s media regulator has been criticised for a directive ordering the closure of non-compliant online media outlets.
West African media organisations petition ACHPR Special Rapporteur on Ignace Sossou release
The Media Foundation for West Africa and 15 partner organisations have written to the ACHPR Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information to intervene in the case of imprisoned Beninese journalist Ignace Sossou.
Accurate reporting lands Beninese journalist in jail
More than 120 media outlets and West African journalists have signed on to an op-ed calling for the release of Beninois journalist Ignace Sossou, detained for over two months.
Beninese journalist gets suspended sentence and fine
Fingering a French businessman for alleged tax evasion has resulted in Beninese journalist Ignace Sossou receiving a suspended one-month prison sentence and a fine of 550,000 CFA francs (US$850).
Media and FoE crackdown in Benin intensifies over 2 week period
In an intensified crackdown on freedom of expression and media freedom in Benin, 2 protestors were killed, a journalist arrested and detained and the internet temporarily shutdown.
Benin authorities arrest editor over article
Authorities in Benin arrested Casimir Kpédjo, editor of newspaper Nouvelle Economie, from his home in Cotonou over an article on Benin’s debt.
Broadcasting authority shuts down Benin’s most popular newspaper
Benin’s High Authority for Broadcasting and Communication (HAAC) has shut down La Nouvelle Tribune – one of the country’s most popular pro-opposition newspapers.
Benin: Mayor of Cotonou sues “Nord Sud Quotidien” director for USD $85,000
Léhady Soglo – the mayor of Benin’s economic capital Cotonou – has sued the publication director of Nord Sud Quotidien for defamation. Soglo is claiming 50 million CFA Francs (about USD $85,000) in compensation.
Benin’s communications authority allows radio, TV outlets back on air
Three of seven privately-owned broadcasters shut down in Benin last November have been permitted to resume operations. The outlets involved are Soleil FM, Eden TV and E-Télé.
What Benin’s new president needs to know about free expression in his country
To welcome Benin’s new president, Patrice Talon, MFWA presents highlights in one of the critical areas that he must focus his attention on – enhancing and protecting the right of citizens to freely express themselves.