On July 7, Benin's High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) ruled in favor of banning online media from operating without authorization.
With the advent of digital technology, the number of players in the online news field has multiplied. The Beninese authorities therefore wish to clean up and regulate the sector.
Any actor operating a website offering audiovisual and print media services will now be required to obtain a license in order to legally carry out their activity. Those without official authorization will therefore be forced to cease their publishing activities.
To this end, in 2018 the HAAC launched a call for applications to identify and authorize the various online media outlets. Around 40 applications were shortlisted, including a number of operators who are still awaiting official authorization to operate.