The Benin Republic is hosting a two-day meeting of media self-regulation bodies from five West African countries, starting October 29, 2026. The meeting, initiated by the Observatory for Deontology and Ethics in Media (Odem), aims to promote experience sharing and convergence of journalistic ethics and deontology practices in the sub-region. The event is funded by the European Union through the Hirondelle Foundation.
The meeting brings together regulatory bodies from Benin, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Mali. According to Tanguy Agoï, President of Odem's 10th term, the meeting is necessary to rethink self-regulation in the face of profound changes affecting media work. The challenges facing journalists, including terrorism, insecurity, and political upheaval, require concerted responses that transcend national borders.
The discussions will focus on the difficulties posed by the coverage of sensitive events in insecure environments, balancing the public's right to information with professional responsibility. The impact of the internet and artificial intelligence on information production and dissemination will also be examined. The goal is to identify common challenges and determine practices that can be shared or mutualized.
The meeting may pave the way for a reflection on the development of a West African code of deontology. Agoï suggests that a sub-regional code could be envisaged, but this depends on the discussions and the ability of participants to converge existing rules and practices. The president of Odem also aims to revive the dynamics of the Network of African Self-Regulation Instances (Riac).
The Riac was established in the early 2000s but has not seen sufficient development. Cotonou could serve as a starting point for a new impulse towards more structured cooperation between concerned bodies. The meeting is also an opportunity for Mali and other countries to learn from Odem's experience in establishing a self-regulation body.
For Benin, hosting this meeting is a chance to showcase its experience in press freedom and self-regulation. Agoï calls on media professionals to mobilize around the event, which should also examine obstacles hindering national self-regulation. The goal is to make this concertation a framework for strengthening journalistic responsibility and cooperation between West African media.
The meeting's outcome could lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms, challenges, and conditions for the functioning of self-regulation bodies. This, in turn, could support the establishment or strengthening of similar bodies in other countries. The discussions will also allow for an examination of how to support professionals without deviating from fundamental journalistic principles.
Key points
- Media regulatory bodies from five West African countries are meeting in Cotonou to discuss challenges and harmonize journalistic practices.
- The meeting aims to promote experience sharing and convergence of journalistic ethics and deontology practices in the sub-region.
- A West African code of deontology may be envisaged as an outcome of the meeting.
