SECTOR 2 2.8 All media fairly represent the voices of society and its minorities in its ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity Public and private media seek to cover the diversity of the Beninese society. This is partly required by law. However, they must also do so if they intend to reach the greatest number of people. As a result, print and broadcast media try to produce content that meets the expectations of most ethnic groups and that caters to different interests. Most of the main national languages are frequently used on radio, especially in rural areas where French is not widely spoken or understood. Attempts to create newspapers in some local languages still tend to be short-lived due to limited resources. Religious radio stations and TV channels are the exception: they are at best discriminatory and at worst intolerant. Apart from certain stations and channels, most only broadcast programmes that promote their teachings or they only hire people who belong to their religion. 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: ✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 3.5 (2007 = n/a; 2009 = 2.6; 2011 = 3.0; 2014 = 2.9) 2.9 Media cover the full spectrum of economic, cultural, political, social, national and local perspectives and conduct investigative stories The law requires Beninese media to cover all aspects of national life, including divergent political opinions. According to Article 17 of the Information and Communication Code: [the] Broadcasting and Communication Authority guarantees respect for pluralistic expression of currents of thought and opinion in the press and in broadcast communication, particularly when it comes to the broadcasting of political information. 25 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BENIN 2018