SECTOR 3 The board of directors is not independent and cannot be held accountable to the public. In the spirit of the law, the board acts on behalf of the government. 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: ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓ 1.2 (2007 = 1.1; 2009 = 1.2; 2011 = 1.1; 2014 = 1.0) 3.5 The editorial independence of the state/public broadcaster from political influence is guaranteed by law and practised to ensure balanced and fair news and current affairs programmes Regardless of the law, ORTB is subject to strong political influence from the state. It is an extension of the Ministry of Communication and follows the orders of the minister, the directorate of communication and the office of the president of the republic. Directors and journalists understand that their role is to defend and promote government actions, including those of the president. To a certain extent, the national radio enjoys some independence. Historically, radio journalists have been impartial in their news coverage, which is not the case with their national TV colleagues. 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: 34 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BENIN 2018 ✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1.4 (2007 = n/a; 2009 = n/a; 2011 = n/a; 2014 = 1.0)