SECTOR 2

incoherence as a result of the procedure used by the ITC Head Oice which is
characterized by instability.
According to one of the panelists, this explains to a certain extent the low ITC
penetration rate which is estimated to be around 2.8% in 2011. here is an
increasing demand for services in this sector every day though there are no judicial
mechanisms to handle issues in this area.

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:

2.2 (2007 = n/a ; 2009 = 2.4)

2.10 Government does not use its power over the
placement of advertisements as a means to interfere
with editorial content.
“hat is just what the government does.” his statement perfectly summarizes
the opinion of one of the panelists who has noted that the only way one can
gain access to the government’s advertising resources is to
resolve not to criticize it, or to seek its permission before
spreading any information that could be unfavorable to the
“hat
government.

[interfering with
editorial content]
is just what the
government
does”.

For as long as regulations are not instituted in this
information sector in Benin, the practice can only continue
unhindered. What is worse is the fact that the limitations
of the institutional advertising market are causing media
houses to sell their slots through direct negotiations with
ministries and state enterprises and therefore end up not
being able to criticize them. his practice of “information for
sale” can be seen in diferent forms: a media house coming
under the tutelage of a minister or an executive member of the parliament during
his/her term of oice.

96

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BENIN 2011

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