The freedom of the press in Africa : Benin’s constant downgrading since 2007

In 2006, the Beninese people in general and the press in particular were very happy to learn that their country has been selected as the first African country where the freedom of the press is guaranteed. It was, according to many observers, an illustration of the vitality of the country’s young democratic process. When choosing in 1990 democracy as the new political system, Benin took the oath to respect, among others, the freedom of the press. From 1990 to 2006, the Beninese press has not relatively been gagged by political authorities. It is true that some media professionals do not respect the requirements of their deontology and many a time, the Deontology and Ethic Observatory for Media has condemned journalists who published stories without sufficient investigation. In spite of that, there was not any massive imprisonment. Only, a few colleagues have spent some days or months in jail for diverse reasons. But things will change with the coming on power of President Boni YAYI. Two journalists have been jailed for writing about the President’s private concern. These imprisonments followed by many others and added to the lack of professionalism of some journalists brought Benin to lose its first rank. Only a year after its continental consecration, the country became in 2007 the 9th African country where the freedom of the press is respected according to Reporters without borders. The report on the situation in Benin shows that the media professionals are not really exposed in their profession. There is no pressure from the Government. The report also mentions that it is rather the journalists who prefer communication to journalism. But in Benin, it is crystal clear that public media are controlled by the Government. The opposition political parties have no or very limited access to public media which devote 75% of their publications to the Government’s official and political activities. Concerning the private radio stations, TV channels and newspapers, the Government signs financial agreement with them so as they write good stories on their policies. But some of the media (these are very few) show resistance and bring out some scandalous affairs. This annoys the Government of President Boni YAYI. The spokesman of the President’s cabinet came on the national public television and threatened any journalist who will publish again bad stories on the Government policies. But the media immediately denounced dictatorship and promised not to be intimidated. The 2008 Reporters without borders’ report placed Benin at the 11th rank in Africa and at 70th at the world level. This is the proof our democracy in the field of the freedom of the press is still stammering. The National Association of Media Workers believes the Government is the first responsible for such a situation and asked through a press release President Boni YAYI and his ruling team to reconsider their relationships with the media in view to restore Benin reputation talking about freedom of the press. But things are going worse in 2010, on the eve of the coming Presidential election. The government thinks that the media are favouring the opposition parties by accusing the ruling power in the numerous ongoing social and economic scandals. Through an official communiqué, they warn the news organs who are used to writing partial stories. ‘They might be severely sanctioned’, says the communiqué. Considering the current situation, it is almost certain that the coming Reporters without borders’ annual report will be particularly severe for Benin.

Actualités sur la décentralisation au Bénin: http://www.ancb-benin.org