SECTOR 1 Journalists working for the state media less forthcoming nowadays and more reserved in the exercise of their trade. Many citizens, who work as consultants, feel threatened when they have to speak to the media. Many state media managers, who fear for their jobs, security or lives, demonstrate unwarranted caution. “I don’t know what I’m risking. The last time one of my colleagues received a demand for an explanation following an interview he gave to the press...” The way state media and media professionals under special contract operate currently does not favour access to the media for citizens with views contrary to that of the government. Very few private media outlets, despite signing government contracts, which restrict freedom of the media, give themselves a minimum of professional and editorial freedom and publish opposing views to those of the government. Despite this recent positive development, the general impression is that the broadcasting media is at the exclusive service of the government and hardly reflects diverse opinions. The core issue is the utilisation of the media to assert the right to freedom of expression. However, as freedom is not only asserted through the media, citizens are increasingly voicing their opinions against the options and decisions of the government during private conversations (in schools and universities, in markets, in bars and restaurants, outside of worship places, etc...). Citizens who do not depend on or represent any danger to the State can express their opinions without fear. The situation has not fundamentally changed compared to the assessment made in 2005. The recent missions of the State Audit Office in union offices following an anti-government demonstration corroborate the increasingly widespread view that: the government unleashes its control services as a retaliatory measure. 74 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BENIN 2009