Benin - Media

Virtually all media in Benin are controlled by the government. The state provides telegraph and telephone service and government-owned radio and television services broadcast in French, English, and 18 indigenous languages. In 2000, there were 51,000 main line phones and 55,500 mobile cellular phones. As of 2000, there were 2 AM and 9 FM radio stations. In 2001, there was only one television station. In 2000, there were 439 radios and 45 television sets for every 1,000 people. There were only two personal computers in use for every 1,000. In 2002, there were four Internet service providers serving about 50,000 users.

In 2002, there was only one daily newspaper. Ehuzu (also known as La Nation ), is the primary government publication, with a daily circulation of about 12,000. Weeklies included La Gazette du Golfe (circulation 18,000) and Le Forum de la Semaine . Other publications included L'Opinion and Tam-Tam Express (8,000 every other week). All were published in Cotonou. There are also several general interest and a few special interest periodicals

The Constitution of Benin ensures freedom of expression, including speech and the press, and the government is said to respect this freedom.