Media regulatory bodies from five West African countries convened in Cotonou, Benin, from October 29 to 31, 2026, to enhance cooperation, harmonize ethical standards, and address common challenges facing the media in the region. The meeting, initiated by the Observatory for Deontology and Ethics in Media (Odem), brings together delegates from Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Senegal, and Togo.
The meeting aims to promote a unified approach to journalism, with a focus on responsibility and ethics in a rapidly changing media landscape. According to Thanguy Agoï, President of Odem, the gathering is a long-held project that seeks to align journalistic practices and criteria across the region. He emphasized that media challenges, such as disinformation, terrorism, and geopolitical tensions, have transcended national borders.
The participants discussed ways to strengthen exchanges of experience and establish common ethical and deontological principles for journalists across the region. Agoï expressed hope that the meeting would lead to a collective dynamic, enabling media regulatory bodies to speak with a unified voice at the West African level. The Fondation Hirondelle, a partner in the initiative, was commended for its support.
Hervé Prudence Hessou, President of the Union of Benin's Media Professionals (Upmb), stressed that public trust is fundamental to the journalism profession. He warned that this trust can be easily compromised by sensational headlines, unverified information, or the rapid dissemination of rumors, particularly in the context of social media influence.
Hessou invited participants to engage in open discussions and make concrete commitments, advocating for the creation of regulatory bodies in countries lacking them and strengthening those facing difficulties. The possibility of establishing a sub-regional organization or reactivating a structure that existed since the 2000s was also raised.
François Awoudo, Secretary General of the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (Haac), representing the President, highlighted the complementarity between regulation and self-regulation. He emphasized that both mechanisms are necessary to promote respect for professional rules and consolidate media responsibility, particularly in the face of digital transformations and the rise of artificial intelligence.
The meeting's outcome is expected to enable delegates to share experiences and explore common courses of action in support of more responsible, free, and trustworthy media. The works, scheduled to conclude on October 31, 2026, reflect a broader effort to address media challenges in West Africa and promote a culture of responsibility and ethics in journalism.
Key points
- Media regulators from five West African countries meet to harmonize ethical practices and strengthen cooperation.
- The meeting aims to promote a unified approach to journalism, with a focus on responsibility and ethics.
- Participants advocate for the creation of regulatory bodies in countries lacking them and strengthening those facing difficulties.
