Freedom of the Press - Benin (2002)
| Publisher | Freedom House |
| Publication Date | 22 April 2002 |
| Cite as | Freedom House, Freedom of the Press - Benin (2002), 22 April 2002, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4734503c23.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Status: Free
Legal Environment: 8
Political Influences: 12
Economic Pressures: 10
Total Score: 30
Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 50
Religious Groups: n/a
Ethnic Groups: African [42 ethnic groups, including Fon, Adja, Bariba, Yoruba] (99 percent), other (1 percent)
Capital: Porto-Novo
During this year of tumultuous elections, the news media demonstrated their freedom to report and criticize both the government and its opposition. There are numerous independent newspapers and radio stations, and a private television station. Harsh libel laws have been used to rein in the independent press, but constitutional guarantees of press freedom are generally recognized in practice. Journalists from one independent newspaper were detained for questioning after publishing an article that linked Osama bin Laden's terrorist network to a Benin connection. The paper later retracted the story. The government criticized the newspaper and withdrew government aid to the paper.