SECTOR 4 4.7 Media professionals have access to training facilities offering formal qualification programmes as well as opportunities to upgrade skills Training opportunities for journalists in Benin have increased over the years. The National School of Information and Communication Sciences and Techniques at the University of Abomey-Calavi is one of the main training centres. Journalism training is also offered by a growing number of private training institutions that have been authorised in recent years. Among the most renown are the Higher Institute for Broadcasting Professions; the Higher School of Administration, Economics, Journalism and Broadcasting Professions; the Higher School of Commerce and Management; the Higher Institute for Information and Communication and the SONOU Courses. A good number of Beninese students still pursue journalism training abroad, particularly in Senegal and in some European countries. Continuous education opportunities are also available for practising journalists. During the last four years, an initiative known as Café Media Plus has been organising weekly professional meetings to improve journalists’ skills and keep them abreast of developments in their profession. From time to time, donorfunded seminars provide specialised and thematic training for journalists in the form of seminars and workshops, both in Benin and abroad. Some initiatives have led to the production of manuals and handbooks (including some on safety) that journalists continue to use daily. These efforts complement in-house training and mentoring for junior journalists that enable them to learn from their more experienced 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: 44 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BENIN 2018 ✓✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 3.6 (2007 = 5.0; 2009 = 4.9; 2011 = 3.3; 2014 = 3.4)