Press Freedom in Benin: From "Springtime of the Media" to Digital Crackdowns

Benin, once hailed as a beacon of press freedom in West Africa, has seen a dramatic decline in media independence over the past decade. Guy Constant Ehoumi, former president of the media self-regulatory body ODEM, recalled the optimism of 1991, describing it as a “springtime for the media” following the adoption of a new constitution that guaranteed freedom of expression and established regulatory institutions to protect press rights.

However, since President Patrice Talon took office in 2016, media experts argue that the country’s democratic space has shrunk significantly. Benin has plummeted from 78th to 113th in the global press freedom rankings by Reporters Without Borders, a decline attributed to increasing government control over information and restrictive regulations such as the 2018 Digital Code.

### A Digital Code with Dangerous Consequences

With Benin’s internet user base exceeding 6.5 million, the government introduced the Digital Code in 2018, citing the need to regulate online activity, combat harassment, and prevent the spread of fake news. However, critics argue that the code has become a tool for suppressing dissent and stifling independent journalism.

Article 550 of the law criminalizes online harassment and intimidation, prescribing penalties of one to two years in prison or fines of up to 10 million CFA francs (approximately $16,000). The law also targets the publication of so-called “fake news,” provisions that have been used to arrest and prosecute at least 17 journalists, bloggers, and online activists, including prominent journalist Ignace Sossou.

While authorities defend the law as necessary for maintaining public order, media freedom advocates warn that it has created a climate of fear and self-censorship, undermining the democratic principles Benin once championed. As the country continues on this trajectory, journalists and activists face increasing uncertainty over their right to report freely.