WARNING AND MAJOR INITIATIVES: The HAAC Opens Its 2nd Ordinary Session in Cotonou

The High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) kicked off its second ordinary session of the year 2026 this Thursday, September 17, in Cotonou. While this four-month meeting features a particularly packed technical agenda, it above all provided an opportunity for the institution’s president, Édouard Cocou Loko, to issue a very clear warning to detractors of journalistic ethics.

While praising the growing coverage of public interest topics and civic investigations across the Beninese media landscape, the president of the HAAC did not mince words regarding persistent abuses on certain platforms:

A selective observation: A departure from ethics in favor of personal attacks and insults.

A crossed red line: « These professionals of insults and diatribes want to exist, that is their right, but they must not exist in the media, » insisted Édouard Loko.

Tougher regulation: A promise of heightened vigilance with a « hand firmer than ever, » while maintaining dialogue and permanent monitoring.

Institutional cooperation: Increased referrals to the National Center for Digital Investigations (CNIN) and the CRIET for infractions exceeding the strict jurisdiction of the institution.

Beyond the call for ethical compliance, the councilors of this 7th term will tackle several major reforms by the end of the year.

Agreements Renewal of agreements with first-generation online media and continuation for newer ones.
Radio Frequencies Finalization of calls for applications to assign new frequencies.
Territorial Coverage Establishment of radio stations in unserved areas and regularization of media operating outside the legal framework.

By calling for rigor, promptness, and presence in the field, the leadership of the HAAC intends to make these four months a decisive turning point for cleaning up and restructuring the media sector in Benin.

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