AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BENIN 2011 Summary In principle, the legislation and regulatory provisions have created a conducive environment for the media to lourish in Benin. he Constitution guarantees the freedom of the media and the freedom of expression in general, as well as the citizens’ right to information. he law regulating the operations, rights and responsibilities of the media is even embedded in the Constitution. Of the articles in the Constitution concerning the media, only one, (article 23), is of concern. his article conveys the worrisome impression that the “respect for public order” is where the freedom of expression ends. his notion lends itself to all forms of interpretation since it is not deined. Other regulatory instruments also prohibit “the propagation, the broadcast, the spread and retransmission of false information” (Decree No. 69-22 PR/MJL of 4 July 1969). In practice however, the laws and regulations on freedom of expression are sometimes misinterpreted and rendered less efective. At times public demonstrations are surpressed and public service oicials are reluctant to express themselves for fear of being arbitrarily sanctioned. On the other hand, ordinary citizens who have nothing to lose, take advantage of their anonymous status to freely express themselves especially through call-in programs on the radio. he challenge to freedom of expression is therefore experienced especially when it comes to its practice. Benin has ratiied many regional and international instruments on freedom of expression. he African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights has even been inserted in the Constitution. No legal or regulatory mechanisms have been instituted to prevent journalists from doing their professional work. he panelists are not totally in favor of this practice since, in their opinion; it will have an impact on the quality of media content. Another factor which impacts content is the lack of protection for conidential sources of information. his is why some journalists were sentenced for refusing to disclose their source of information to judges. It is also diicult to gain access to public information. Public service oicials, who feel obliged to be silent on even the most basic information, sometimes have to resort to organizing leakages. Sometimes there are cases of state interference AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BENIN 2011 69