Media outlets in Benin and Burkina Faso suspended
In separate incidents Benin’s media regulator has indefinitely suspended the operations of ‘La Gazette du Golfe’, while ‘Radio Oméga’ in Burkina Faso is off the air.
Benin: Former journalist jailed over Facebook post released
Aziz Imorou was detained after he published a Facebook article in which he reported an alleged act of aggression against himself by a bodyguard of a government official.
Benin’s closure of online media outlets seen as muzzling of media
Benin’s media regulator has been criticised for a directive ordering the closure of non-compliant online media outlets.
West African media organisations petition ACHPR Special Rapporteur on Ignace Sossou release
The Media Foundation for West Africa and 15 partner organisations have written to the ACHPR Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information to intervene in the case of imprisoned Beninese journalist Ignace Sossou.
Accurate reporting lands Beninese journalist in jail
More than 120 media outlets and West African journalists have signed on to an op-ed calling for the release of Beninois journalist Ignace Sossou, detained for over two months.
Beninese journalist gets suspended sentence and fine
Fingering a French businessman for alleged tax evasion has resulted in Beninese journalist Ignace Sossou receiving a suspended one-month prison sentence and a fine of 550,000 CFA francs (US$850).
Media and FoE crackdown in Benin intensifies over 2 week period
In an intensified crackdown on freedom of expression and media freedom in Benin, 2 protestors were killed, a journalist arrested and detained and the internet temporarily shutdown.
Benin authorities arrest editor over article
Authorities in Benin arrested Casimir Kpédjo, editor of newspaper Nouvelle Economie, from his home in Cotonou over an article on Benin’s debt.
Broadcasting authority shuts down Benin’s most popular newspaper
Benin’s High Authority for Broadcasting and Communication (HAAC) has shut down La Nouvelle Tribune – one of the country’s most popular pro-opposition newspapers.
Benin: Mayor of Cotonou sues “Nord Sud Quotidien” director for USD $85,000
Léhady Soglo – the mayor of Benin’s economic capital Cotonou – has sued the publication director of Nord Sud Quotidien for defamation. Soglo is claiming 50 million CFA Francs (about USD $85,000) in compensation.
Benin’s communications authority allows radio, TV outlets back on air
Three of seven privately-owned broadcasters shut down in Benin last November have been permitted to resume operations. The outlets involved are Soleil FM, Eden TV and E-Télé.
What Benin’s new president needs to know about free expression in his country
To welcome Benin’s new president, Patrice Talon, MFWA presents highlights in one of the critical areas that he must focus his attention on – enhancing and protecting the right of citizens to freely express themselves.
Benin: Journalists arrested, 17 students injured in university demonstration
Police arrested two journalists for Canal 3 for filming a demonstration at the University of Abomey-Calavi. 17 students and one head of department were injured by tear gas and bullets fired by police.
TV station director sentenced to hard labour in Benin
A Court in Cotonou has sentenced Berthe Cakpossa, director of the privately-owned television channel Canal 3 Benin, to three months in prison with hard labour for airing a press conference in which a former government official alleged corrupt practices in President Yayi Boni’s government.