CHAPTER 5: SIGNIFICANT THEMES 5. Significant Themes The African Media Barometer reports published between 2011 and 2021 show significant consistencies in the recommendations made, which are linked to the persistent and emerging challenges observed in the media environments across sub-Saharan African countries. The discussion below outlines the general trends regarding positive and negative developments noted by each country’s AMBs and the subsequent recommendations. The discussion covers only countries with more than one AMB produced within the timeframe mentioned above. Benin 2011 AMB Against a range of negative developments in Benin’s media environment that included government interference with the operations of the national broadcaster, the precarious working conditions of journalists, and corruption in journalism, this AMB recommended that key stakeholders be pressurised to transform the Benin Radio and Television Office to a public media house; parliament be lobbied to pass the bill on the new information code, and the establishment of awards for journalist and media houses. 2014 AMB Points highlighted in this AMB included the government’s continued grip on the public broadcaster and the Broadcasting and Communications Authority (HAAC), the aggravation of media corruption, and the failures of the HAAC to protect journalists and the media. Given this scenario, and probably in acknowledgement of a lack of progress on the issues raised in the 2011 AMB, the 2014 AMB recommended raising awareness about the AMB and promoting discussions on its content in popular media. 22 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER 11 YEARS IN REVIEW