SECTOR 3 Broadcasting regulation is transparent and independent; the State broadcaster is transformed into a truly public broadcaster. 3.1 Broadcasting legislation has been passed and is implemented that provides for a conducive environment for public, commercial and community broadcasting. In Benin, Act No. 97-010 of 20 August 1997 governing the liberalization of the audiovisual sector and special penal provisions related to press and audiovisual communication offenses is in force and applied. However it does not necessarily create a favourable environment for public, private and community audiovisual communication. It is aimed at “sifting the frequencies”, as one panellist put it. A guide for promoters of radio and television stations published by HAAC does exist. But its implementation reveals what one of the panellists called “interferences”. For at the present time the possibility of acquiring a radio frequency has been reduced to practically nil. Out of 57 applications for frequencies, only 8 were allocated for radio and television. The state, for its part, launched the Bénin Business 24 channel in 2012. 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: 90 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BENIN 2014 4.2 (2007=4.7; 2009=3.6; 2011=3.5)