The High Authority for Communication Regulation (HARC) in Togo has taken a significant step in regulating the digital space by meeting with content creators, including bloggers, influencers, YouTubers, and TikTokers. The meeting, held on September 22, 2026, at HARC's headquarters in Lomé, aimed to establish a dialogue and share information on the new regulatory framework. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Communication, the National Cybersecurity Agency (ANCy), and the Instance for Protection of Personal Data (IPDCP).
The communication introduced by N'do Pabozi, Director of Legal Affairs and Litigation at HARC, focused on the integrity of information and the new Constitution adopted on May 6, 2024. Article 78 of the Constitution grants HARC the power to regulate the entire media ecosystem, including digital communication. This new mandate enables HARC to ensure that online platforms and social media implement their obligations transparently and balancedly. Pabozi emphasized that content creators play a significant role in shaping public opinion and must be aware of their responsibilities.
Pabozi addressed the content creators, stating that they are not journalists but actors in communication and mass communication. She noted that the advent of social media has revolutionized the way information is disseminated and accessed. While this new freedom brings many benefits, it also poses risks, such as disinformation, hate speech, and intolerance. Pabozi stressed that HARC's role is to ensure that content creators respect the dignity of individuals, protect vulnerable groups, and promote a culture of responsible communication.
HARC President Pitalounani Telou emphasized that the meeting marks the beginning of a permanent and constructive dialogue with content creators. He stated that the government's goal is to adapt regulation to the rapidly changing digital environment and ensure that online communication respects national values and security. Telou highlighted that HARC's approach is pedagogical and preventive, aiming to promote healthy communication and encourage self-regulation among content creators.
The meeting also discussed the need for content creators to organize themselves and develop a code of conduct and ethics. This approach has already been successful with traditional media, and HARC aims to extend it to digital content creators. Telou noted that all advertisements and sponsored content on social media must be submitted to HARC for approval, just like traditional media.
Other stakeholders, including Antoine Afanou, advisor to the Minister of Communication and Media, and representatives from ANCy and IPDCP, welcomed the initiative and emphasized the importance of responsible communication. Afanou announced plans to revise the 2020 Press and Communication Code to integrate new actors and define the threshold between professionalism and amateurism.
The meeting concluded with a call to action for content creators to respect best practices, secure their platforms, and conform to legal dispositions. HARC's efforts aim to promote a culture of responsible communication, protect vulnerable groups, and ensure that online content respects national values and security. Key stakeholders will continue to engage with content creators to develop a code of conduct and ethics.
Key points
- HARC's new mandate includes regulating online communication and ensuring that content creators respect national values and security.
- The meeting aimed to establish a dialogue between HARC and content creators to promote responsible communication and self-regulation.
- HARC's approach is pedagogical and preventive, focusing on promoting healthy communication rather than repression.
