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Benin: Regulatory Body Shuts Down Seven Private Broadcasters

  • Date of Occurrence
    November 28, 2016
  • State/Country
    Port-Novo, Benin Republic
  • Details
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Description

Benin’s media regulatory body, Haute Autorité de l’Audiovisuel et de la Communication (HAAC) has shut down seven media houses for breaching broadcasting regulations.

The affected media houses are six private television stations; E-Tele, Sikka TV, Eden TV, La Chrétienne TV, Unafrica TV, La Béninoise TV and a private radio station, Soleil FM.

In a statement issued on November 28, 2016, the HAAC said the affected media organisations breached the Organic Law of the HAAC.

According to HAAC, three broadcasters (Radio Soleil, E-Tele and Eden TV) were operating from a location other than where they had been permitted to operate from by the HAAC. The other media organisations on the other hand failed to sign regulatory agreements with the HAAC.

The MFWA’s correspondent in Benin reported that while many media associations acknowledge that the media hoses concerned have indeed breached the broadcasting regulations, they have criticised how the shutdown was done.

A joint press release by two media associations; Union des Professionnels des Médias du Benin (UPMB) and the Conseil National du Patronat de la Presse et de l’Audiovisuel (CNPA-Benin); said that HACC failed to give the affected media prior notice before taking action.  According to the two bodies, “HAAC failed to adhere to Article 46 of their Organic Law which mandates them to give prior notice to the media organisations before shutting them down.”

The MFWA agrees with the UPMB and CNPA-Benin that, while the HAAC acted within its mandate, the regulatory body should also have followed laid down procedures spelt out in their organic law.

MFWA urges all parties involved to use dialogue to address the issues. We also call on media houses to observe the regulations governing the sector to avoid conflicts and sanctions.

 

Actions Taken

In May, the Court of First Instance in Cotonou fined HAAC President 50 million CFA francs (around USD89,648) for closing Sikka TV.

Benin Update: Media Regulator Lifts Sanctions Against Three Media Houses

Three of seven media organisations sanctioned by the media regulatory body in Benin, Haute Autorité de l’Audiovisuel et de la Communication (HAAC), have been permitted to resume operations.

The media houses involved are the privately-owned Soleil FM, Eden TV and E-Télé.

On November 28, 2016, seven media houses were suspended by the HAAC for relocating their stations in breach of the terms of their agreement with the Authority and for lack of authorisation. The decision was greeted with anger from the media. A media professionals union in Benin, l’Union des Professionnels des Médias (UMPB), tried to protest against the suspensions at the premises of the HAAC, but they were denied access by the police on the instructions of authorities.

However, on January 26, 2017, the HAAC lifted the sanctions placed on Soleil FM, Eden TV and E-Télé after fruitful deliberations with the Managements of the said stations.

The MFWA commends the HAAC and the management of the media houses concerned for working together to find a solution. The closure of media houses affects the livelihood of media professionals and undermines people’s ability to access information and exercise their right to express themselves freely.

We urge the HAAC to continue to dialogue with the leadership of the other four suspended radio stations to find an amicable resolution that will enable the stations to resume their work.

Details
  • Date of Occurrence
    2016-11-28
  • State/Country
    Port-Novo
  • Perpetrator
    High Authority of Audiovisual Communication (HAAC)
  • Legal Foundation
    Article 23 and 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of Benin
  • Source
    https://www.mfwa.org/country-highlights/benin-regulatory-body-shuts-down-seven-private-broadcasters/
Location

Port-Novo, Benin Republic

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Region
  • Benin Republic
Rights & Freedom Violated
  • Press Freedom
Mode of Attacks
  • Ban, Sanctions and Fines
  • Comments are closed.
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