Media: Freedom of speech and of the press is protected by the constitution, and many observers note that state and private media operate relatively freely in Benin. However, according to the US Department of State 2010, the media's effect on public opinion is limited due to restricted circulation and illiteracy. The government has a reputation for respecting freedom of the press, and the media is renowned for scrutinising both the government and the opposition. Nevertheless, the past several years have brought about some worrying developments, according to Reporters Without Borders 2009 and Freedom House 2009, as the market has been filled with politically funded publications and the government decided to apply a law that had not been strictly applied for a couple of years, imposing prison sentences for press offences. As a result, several journalists were imprisoned. According to the US Department of State 2010, the government blocked the state-owned radio station 'Radio France Internationale' for 14 hours in August 2010. This took place after the radio station reported that deputies in the National Assembly attempted to impeach the President for his alleged involvement in a Ponzi scheme that had defrauded investors of billions of CFA. Before being blocked, the radio station had also announced that it would broadcast an interactive program on the case. Furthermore, reporters are reportedly susceptible to bribery and blackmail. It is therefore not uncommon for politicians to buy positive stories from journalists. According to Freedom House 2011, the government does not restrict access to the Internet, but poverty hinders the wider population from benefiting from it. Reporters Without Borders 2011 ranks Benin 70th out of 178 countries, while Freedom House 2011 ranks Benin 72nd out of 196 countries and describes its press environment as 'partly free'.

Civil Society: Freedom of association and assembly are guaranteed under the constitution and those rights are generally respected. Non-governmental organisations are numerous in Benin and are generally free to act without governmental intervention. However, according to the Bertelsmann Foundation 2010, the lack of resources and the poor institutionalisation of those organisations impede a more continuous participation. According to the same report, civil society often reveals corruption more effectively than government. 

Front des Organisations Nationales Anti-Corruption (FONAC): FONAC is a national coalition of around 60 non-governmental organisations and associations that work with anti-corruption. FONAC works primarily with awareness raising, investigation and calling attention to corrupt politicians. The coalition is represented in the most prominent public anti-corruption institutions and initiatives (e.g. the Public Procurement Verification Commission) and their work is regarded as successful and influential by international actors, such as USAID and the World Bank. Read more about FONAC (in French).

Association de Lutte Contre le Racisme, l'Ethnocentrisme et le Regional (ALCRER): ALCRER is a grassroots organisation created in 1994 whose primary goal is to promote good governance in the management of public affairs, combat racism, ethnocentrism and regionalism and protect human rights in Benin and Africa in general. It focuses on awareness raising during elections and youth education. Read more about ALCRER (in French).

African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption Benin (APNAC): APNAC is active in capacity building, information campaigns, promotion of anti-corruption legislation, and establishing a legal framework to promote free elections.

Board of Private Investors in Benin (CIPB): CIPB was founded in 2002 by a group of entrepreneurs. Today it is comprised of around 40 companies with significant investments in Benin that have decided to combine their experiences, competences and economic weight to influence the environment in which they operate, working for the promotion of good governance. CIPB works with anti-corruption and provides/produces corruption related information for companies, and also cooperates with the UNDP, IMF, the World Bank, European Commission and the diplomatic missions of major donor countries.