Cotonou, Benin - The High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) in Benin has suspended nine newspapers for 'insults, unfounded accusations, false information and publication of opinion polls,' according to a statement released on Friday in Cotonou. They are Le Clairon, Le Benin, l’Engagement, Scoops du Jour, L’Audace info, La Suite, La Nouvelle Tribune, Actu Express and Le Beninois Libéré. These newspapers are banned from publication from 14 March to 20 March, the Council said.

The Council said the newspapers violated the decision announced on 1 February 2011 regulating the media campaign for the 2011presidential election, and the code of ethics of the Beninese press, which prohibits insults, unfounded accusations, false information and publication of opinion polls.

Last Wednesday, the Council threatened to suspend any media house found guilty of serious abuses and publishing speeches likely to endanger and undermine the country’s peace and national unity.

Pana 13/03/2011