SECTOR 4 4.4. Equal opportunities, regardless of race, social group, gender/sex, religion, disabilities and age are promoted in media houses. The media promotes equal opportunity of most social groups.. A positive element to be noted is the increase in the number of women professionals in the media in general and in the broadcasting sector in particular. However, there is still a difference of opinion concerning the quality of their work. Efforts are to be made to improve the quality of their work particularly in the television sub-sector where they seem to outnumber the men without always living up to expectation. For panel members, the problem lies with the management of media houses where the quality of staff recruitment and management is still very much open to criticism. 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: 4.1 (2007=n/a) 4.5 Journalists and editors do not practice selfcensorship. Self-censorship is still a reality in many editorial teams. Either to adhere to editorial lines or to safeguard certain interests that are unfortunately not professional (financial, political...). For the panel, self-censorship can be noted when certain journalists and publications directors prohibit themselves from reporting on key issues for implicit non-professional reasons. This detail concerning this indicator re-defined the understanding panel members had of this issue two years ago. Self-cesonrship remains widespread in editorial offices with the shady profiteering that has been oisoning the media sector for a few years now. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BENIN 2009 111