SECTOR 4 a newspaper are completely unrestricted, marketing or economic logic takes precedence over basic principles of accuracy and fairness. The absence of legislation on accessing information sources, time constraints faced by journalists, the lack of adequate staff on editorial teams as well as the insecure employment conditions of certain journalists are fertile ground for manipulation and do not permit reporting to follow the basic principles of accuracy and fairness. Most of those who violate the code of conduct are part of a category of dishonest journalists who can be termed as information mongers. They violate with conviction the basic rules of the code and professional standards. Sensationalism, the quest for instant material gain or simply primary survival instinct leads these journalists to turn their publications into a tool to put pressure on, blackmail or even swindle others. Certain journalists establish non-professional enabling networks to this effect with rules that are contrary to ethical and professional standards. Such journalists consider press reviews conducted by certain broadcasting media stars in Benin mentioning headlines or articles from their publications as a credibility rating. Certain panel members were being ironical and said: “the copyright deposit is to be made with radio Capp FM” in reference to one of their star comedians called “Dah Houawé” whose press review in the local language Fon is very popular among the audience but nothing to go by when it comes to journalistic genres taught at training schools. Principles of accuracy and fairness are largely violated by such journalists as the models of material success, which inspire them, are not necessarily those that respect ethical and professional standards. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country minimally meets aspects of the indicator. 3 Country meets many aspects of indicator but progress may be too recent to judge. 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator. 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator and has been doing so over time. Average score: 1.9 (2007=2.4) AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BENIN 2009 109