THE WAY FORWARD 1. What were the developments in the media environment in the last three/four years? Positive Developments • Mobile service coverage continues to grow, making information more available and accessible and expanding opportunities for citizens and journalists to express themselves. • Strong growth has been noted in the online media sector, which has transformed the media landscape in a positive way. • Training opportunities for journalists have increased in both the public and private sectors. More and more journalists are specialising, expanding the range of journalism products on offer. Negative Developments 2. 47 • State authorities maintain a strong hold on the media. Advertising contracts, particularly political advertisements, include non-aggression agreements which prevent journalists from criticising the government in their reporting. • The media landscape has become polarised rather than pluralistic. A progovernment and anti-government press have emerged, creating strong biases in journalism productions. • The working conditions and salaries of journalists remain precarious, resulting in bad practices, especially corruption. • Working conditions and salaries of journalists remain precarious, which result in the violation of journalism standards, an increase in corruption and many forms of unethical practices. • A new intelligence law threatens freedom of expression and exposes confidential sources to third parties. What kind of activities are needed over the next three/four years? • Advocacy for the signing of the implementation of bills for certain laws relating to the media which are still pending. • Advocacy for some provisions of laws that continue to repress the media and hinder freedom of expression and of the press to be abolished through due process and other legal remedies. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BENIN 2018