The recent wave of sanctions on Benin’s authorities’ independent media outlets underscores the urgent need to protect the country’s press freedom, said Amnesty International, Borderless Reporters (RSF), and Borderless Internet. The call comes as Benin’s Parliament discusses revisions to the digital code. This is a law essential to protecting the freedom of press and freedom of expression.
Since the beginning of the year, the high authority for audiovisual and communication (Haute Authoritarian de L’Odiovisuel et de la Communication -haac) has suspended two newspapers, three news websites and Tiktok news accounts “until further notices.” These outages are still in effect.
“In recent months, Benin authorities have often silenced media outlets after receiving critical compensation from the government or the HAAC. The digital code contains provisions that allow for attacks on freedom of expression seen in recent months.
A series of media suspensions
On March 12th, the news website Bénin WebTV was suspended and the Managing Director’s press card was withdrawn. HAAC accused the media of publishing two articles containing inaccurate information. One complains of errors in budget requests submitted to Congress by the HAAC, and the other concerns the company’s car demands by the agency’s president.
On January 21, the newspaper Le Patriote and its website were similarly approved after the publication of an editor pointing out “inefficient government strategies” during an attack on military positions at the border zone of Burkina Faso and Niger.
The editor of Le Patriote told Amnesty International: “My newspaper was one of the few that voiced all aspects. Given the current situation, I am confident that the media will no longer have the risk of dealing with information about security situations other than those coming from government or security authorities.”
“None of the legitimate grounds for the restrictions on freedom of expression as defined in international law are called in the case of these censorship. Hack’s sanctions also threaten the economic survival of the media and its employees.
Dozens of journalists who worked on Lepatriotte are unemployed, according to the managing editor. According to a letter seen by Amnesty International, Bénin WebTV has already suffered losses in revenue after the withdrawal of certain advertisers.
The recent wave of sanctions follows a series of similar curbs in 2023 and 2024.
In February 2024, Press Group’s La Gazette Du Golf fired all employees after ceasing the group’s activities in 2023.
In January 2024, news accounts Madam Act, including news website Crystal News and reporters Media Smond, Lesfaraon and Tiktok, were also suspended. HAAC justified the decision by stating that these were “the subject of many complaints,” “unfounded claims,” and “fraudulent websites” that are responsible for spreading “media content” without prior permission from HAAC. The Communique did not specify which content was in question.
These suspensions violate standards established by the United Nations Human Rights Commission. The United Nations Human Rights Commission clearly states that blankets regarding the operation of certain sites and systems are not compatible with the right to freedom of expression.
Qemal Affagnon, a regional coordinator in West Africa without the internet, said “HAAC “relies on current digital codes to punish all those who commit criminal acts.” Guaranteed freedom of expression and independence of hacks.
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background
Amnesty International mentioned the revision of the digital code in its recommendation to Benin in its fourth cycle of universal regular reviews.
Benin has accepted several recommendations aimed at ensuring the independence of audiovisual and communications agencies and revising the digital code, particularly Article 550. This overly limits the right to freedom of expression by providing prison sentences for crimes such as misinformation and harassment through electronic communication.
