Bénin Check, an organization promoting fact-checking within the Beninese press, is taking action to combat misinformation at a time when political news in Benin is becoming increasingly turbulent in the run-up to the 2026 general elections.
Red List is the name of a brand-new project launched by Benin Check; an organization set up three years ago to combat the proliferation of false information in Benin. According to journalist Delofon Toussaint Houetossou, who heads up the organization, the year-long project will establish a database of information sources available online. Benin Check will set up a network for monitoring news sites and social networks that deal with current affairs on a daily basis.
Mr. Houetossou explains that a team of professional fact-checkers will keep a watchful eye on the information published on these Benin-based channels that actually cover the news in the country.
“In the verification process, the author of the information will be contacted. If the inaccuracy of the information is proven, he or she will be invited to proceed with a rectification on his or her broadcast channel,” Mr. Houetossou explains.
From now on, Benin Check will rate these news channels according to their degree of credibility. To this end, the Red List Project has defined three categories.
Firstly, digital channels will be classified as “credible.” These are those that broadcast “no proven false information”.
The second category, “Not very credible,” includes digital channels that have “corrected up to three false reports.” Finally, there is the “non-credible” category for those who refuse to correct “proven false information.”
With this initiative, Benin Check intends to provide an assessment tool for Internet users who regularly consult the online media.
Delofon Toussaint Houetossou, president of the fact-checking organization, adds that the “Red List” project aims to “effectively combat misinformation by enabling the public to identify and avoid misleading sources of information. Through this initiative, Benin Check also aims to highlight platforms that have a positive impact on the Beninese public space.”
Most of the members of Benin Check are journalists who were trained at the ‘Centre d’études des Sciences et Techniques de l’Information (CESTI) at the Université Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar, Senegal. They have also received additional training in fact-checking techniques.
