SECTOR 2 2.1 A wide range of sources of information (print, broadcasting, internet, mobile phones) is accessible and affordable to citizens Mobile telephony is one of the fastest growing sectors in Benin. This has broadened the range of sources of information. Today, most Beninese receive or send information by cell phone. This increase was followed by a sharp surge in the internet penetration rate (0.2% to 42% between 2000 and 2018) and a boom in the use of social media. Online journalism is spreading and delivers news at almost no cost. The so-called traditional media are still key elements of the landscape. Radio is one of the main sources of information for remote and illiterate populations. ORTB covers about 80% of the national territory. Although radio signals are generally free, people increasingly pay more for cable and satellite TV. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: ✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓ 4.1 (2007 = 2.3; 2009 = 3.0; 2011 = 3.5; 2014 = 3.2) 2.2 Citizens’ access to domestic and international media sources is not restricted by state authorities It is common for private radio stations to go ‘off air’ without explanation. Panellists cited the example of Soleil FM and Radio France Internationale (RFI). Cases of sudden loss of signals while programmes critical of the state are on the air has led to the suspicion that programmes are sometimes deliberately blocked, particularly since broadcasting usually resumes once these programmes have ended. These claims are difficult to verify. The case of Sikka TV (a French station owned by an opposition leader in Benin and which deals extensively with Beninese news and is broadcasting from France) is a more blatant attempt at blocking access to media critical of the state. The station has long disappeared from the Canalsat station package, although it is available in neighbouring countries. The HAAC reportedly asked Canalsat to remove the channel from its offering in the Beninese market. 20 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BENIN 2018